Mecanoo

Zaans Medical Centre

Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo

ZAANS MEDICAL CENTRE

Mecanoo

ARCHITECTS
Mecanoo

MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Ingenieursbureau Linssen

GRAPHICS
Silo Agency

CLIENT
Zaans Medisch Centrum, Vitaal ZorgVast

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
BAM Advies & Engineering

BUILDING PHYSICS CONSULTANT
DGMR

PHOTOGRAPHS
Thijs Wolzak

AREA
38500 m²

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Zaandam, The Netherlands

CATEGORY
Healthcare Center, Healthcare Interiors

Zaans Medical Centre is the first lean hospital in the Netherlands. It is an efficient and compact building in which professional healthcare and a personal approach strengthen each other.

Zaans Medical Centre
© Thijs Wolzak
Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo

Architecture, urbanism, landscape and interior are brought together in a coherent design. Clear routing, an abundance of daylight, and positive distractions contribute to an environment that does not feel like a hospital, but as a place that promotes wellbeing.

LEAN AND FUTURE-PROOF

The smart lean design identifies five care processes: acute, elective, outpatient, clinic, and diagnostics.

Zaans Medical Centre
© Thijs Wolzak
Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo

The clear stacking of two floors of outpatient clinics, two floors of clinical departments and a flexible facility layer between them, optimally serves these primary care processes.

All departments are designed to prevent any form of waste. Whenever possible, the outpatient clinics and nursing departments are standardised, allowing for exchangeability and adaptability. The Zaans Medical Centre is therefore flexible and future-proof.

Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo
Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo

POSITIVE DISTRACTIONS

The patient experience played a crucial role in the design process. Positive distractions can reduce the stress of a hospital visit and advance recovery. The spacious multi-storey lobby has the feel of a welcoming public building.

Semi-circular voids and skylights, the use of wood, bright colours, good acoustics and unobstructed views of the surroundings provide a pleasant atmosphere. All hospital wards can be accessed from an internal street with many sheltered waiting areas.

Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo
Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo

At either end of the street is a landscaped courtyard. Hand-drawn illustrations on walls, glazed partitions, and lifts refer to the industrial heritage of the Zaan region. A special spiral slide offers children an adventurous way to travel between levels.

HEALTH DISTRICT

Adjacent to the Zaans Medical Centre lies a health boulevard with a rehabilitation hotel, a pharmacy, eye clinic, various shops, a supermarket and a parking garage, designed to function as a small town.

Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo
Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo

The smart combination of the medical centre and related healthcare services results in a health district for Zaandam and the region.

The hospital was developed by the Zaans Medical Centre and Vitaal ZorgVast, and constructed by BAM, within time and budget. SILO Agency designed the illustrations and environmental graphics. The building is BREEAM Very Good certified.

Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo
Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo
Zaans Medical Centre
Courtesy of mecanoo


Zaans Medical Centre
Axonometric Section Sketch
Zaans Medical Centre
Section Sketch


Zaans Medical Centre
Section C
Zaans Medical Centre
Section D
Zaans Medical Centre
Section F


Zaans Medical Centre
Elevation (East)
Zaans Medical Centre
Elevation (North)
Zaans Medical Centre
Elevation (West)
Zaans Medical Centre
Elevation (South)
Zaans Medical Centre
Elevation (South West)
Zaans Medical Centre
Elevation (North West)

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