UMCG Vorm & Bewegen Outpatient Clinic

Less space, maximum involvement

In one of the hospital wings, only one third of the total original space was reserved for the new clinic. This mean that all of the disciplines involved would have to sacrifice a significant amount of space. Nevertheless, the doctors, nurses and managers were enthusiastic, so we started with an intensive workshop process in which everyone involved came together to think constructively about how to make it work. This is the design that came as a result.

Multifunctional

It was soon decided that the areas for patients and the areas for professionals should be clearly separated. This is partly due to the fact that the UMCG is a university hospital, with many specialists in training. Thus, having a separate area for supervision is desirable. All consultation and treatment rooms are multifunctional. A room might be used for physiotherapy in the morning, but in the afternoon orthopaedists need to be able to use it as well. Some of the rooms are larger and can be arranged flexibly, making them suitable for multifunctional consultations with multiple specialists. In addition, there are plaster rooms, rehabilitation rooms and a photo room.

In motion

When patients enter from the hospital street, they find themselves right in front of a reception desk. In the entrance area, there are almost no straight lines or right angles. The curves in the walls and ceilings give you the unconscious feeling of motion.

Three parallel corridors lead into the clinic. With just one turn to the left or right, you’ll find yourself where you need to be. In the consultation and treatment corridors, the walls are made of frosted glass. Everywhere you go, the environment feels light, friendly and accessible. Nowhere will you encounter anything that gives the feeling of a ‘hard’, function-driven, efficient space. UMCG Bewegen shows how form and function can work together in a medical environment.