A hospital in the middle of nature, this has a positive effect on healing and is relaxing for staff and visitors.
Meander Medical Center is a brand new hospital in the middle of a forest, as if it has always been that way. The hospital is a former barracks site with many (partly old) trees. It was built in the green lobe of Amersfoort, on the Grebbelinie where the Eem River flows out of the city. The site is owned by Meander Medical Center and borders the Arkenheen-Eemland National Park.
Goal
Building a hospital on a site like this provides a healthy environment for patients, staff and visitors. For the vitality of the area, it is important to maintain the connection between the city and the landscape. The Grebbelinie is the connector for humans, plants and animals. Finally, on-site stormwater will be retained in the new water feature.
Design
Before canalization took place, the Eem was here and now the Eem Run has been returned to the landscape and buffers stormwater. The Grebbelinie is also visible and legible again. This will create a beautiful walking area for patients, staff and visitors. Biodiversity has increased thanks in part to building. There are swift boxes in the towers and bat boxes in the walls. The forest now contains botanical bulbs and the open spaces have been sown with a flower mixture. There are nutrient-rich indoor gardens and green roofs. The parking lot is hidden under a canopy of climbing plants.
Details
At the front, a leafy entrance to the large hospital was created by incorporating the wooded wall into the wooden deck. In addition, for this project, the preservation of as many trees as possible to near the building is of great importance. Especially the preservation of 3 large trees close to the building. The felled trees were used in the construction of the parking garage and in the rehabilitation garden. And a felled tree was naturally made into a nesting box, to the delight of the staff.
