OMGEVING: Since the 1970s, the university hospital of Jette (has been located on a car-oriented university campus on the outskirts of Brussels. In 2012, it was decided to expand and renew the existing building stock. OMGEVING was commissioned to develop a cohesive master plan that unites the different functions on campus and improves the quality of the public realm.

Brussels Health Campus

The masterplan “Brussels Health Campus” pursues a comforting and legible landscape that strengthens campus connections and aims for a sustainable organisation. The plan introduces a cohesive public realm by shaping space to gather, time out, recreate and socialize. It includes following measures:

– A central contact zone connects the main functions and allows employees and visitors to move safely on campus. The contact zone is a distinguishable and attractive element that structures activities on the project site.

– A grid of trees imposes a strong gesture on campus and knits together the various buildings and functions. The grid is aligned with the arrangement of the buildings, roads and parking area. Random cut-outs in the tree grid provide open and sunny spaces.

– Car traffic is restricted to the edges of the campus. This means a commitment to developing two distinct stacked parking spaces for both visitors and employees.

– Next to and in between the buildings different gardens emerge, each with its very own identity linked to the different research units. The thematic gardens create a peaceful and diverse atmosphere in and around the hospital.

Front Zone & Reflection Garden
The front zone and adjacent reflection garden represent the first realisation of the master plan. At the main entrance of the hospital a pleasant spacious forecourt has been created, with greenery, visitor parking and a kiss & ride area. A long steel canopy connects the entrance of the hospital with the recently completed emergency department. A site adjacent to the main entrance has been transformed into an intimate reflection garden. This hidden garden welcomes staff, patients and visitors to wander and have lunch amid flowering plant borders and artwork.

data

Landscape Architecture: OMGEVING
Client: University Hospital in Jette (Belgium)
Design: 2014
Realisation: 2016
Team: Koen Moelants, Peter Seynaeve, Luc Wallays, Leen De Groote, Tompy Hoedelmans