R-Building of the East Limburg Hospital

From inside out

In the new R-building, people can rehabilitate in small groups or individually, both indoors and outdoors. During their rehabilitation sessions, they can be accompanied by cardiologists, physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists and psychologists. The various rooms are arranged flexibly according to patients’ cardiac, oncological or psychological needs. The large rehabilitation room in the sports medical centre offers additional space for exercises with its double height, and the large windows offer a wonderful view of the green surroundings. Rehabilitation is also carried out on various trails directly outside the building. Because of this flowing connection with the outside, the boundary between inside and outside is blurred. This supports the patients’ personal path, which ultimately leads to self-reliance and return to society.

Rhythm and openness

The R-building, which also houses outpatient clinics and a general practitioner’s office, is easily accessible. Due to differences in ground level, the main entrance is at -1, along the street. Level 0 is an extra entrance for cardiovascular rehabilitation and level 1 houses the multidisciplinary outpatient clinics, which can also be accessed from the adjacent G-building via a footbridge.

It was the client’s explicit wish that the building not look too functionalist or strict. Therefore, the facade consists of various modules of anodised aluminium, which constantly reflect light in different ways and give the building horizontality and dynamism. These modules provide the building with a different rhythm in each direction, corresponding to the different functions.

Clear structure

The clear pattern makes the square building very flexible. For the outpatient clinic, in particular, this flexibility is a major plus. On the outpatient floors, the treatment rooms are in the middle, and the corridors for the doctors and nurses run in a ring around them, offering a view to the outside from the corridor and the consultation room. Patients and professionals thus have their own routes, which increases efficiency, privacy and job satisfaction. In the interior, four basic materials (concrete, wood, aluminium and glass) provide peace and harmony.

Simplicity creates sustainability

The facade is light, both in appearance and weight. This benefits the overall heat protection, requiring less energy for cooling on hot days. The choice for a simple and sturdy shell that is easily adaptable thanks to its generic dimensions makes the building sustainable. If desired, it can be given a different function in the future and last for a very long time. Like renewable energy, longevity is another form of sustainability.