AZ Maria Middelares, Ghent (Belgium)

Healthcare with a soul – this is the essence of AZ Maria Middelares in Ghent. The new building unites the hospital and the former campus in Ghentbrugge into one compact, efficient and welcoming environment. The patient is at the heart of the design, with a strong focus on well-being, comfort and efficient healthcare services.

Connected to the city and nature

Located on the outskirts of Ghent, the hospital integrates seamlessly into its surroundings. The U-shaped layout provides a clear structure and strengthens the connection with the surrounding greenery. Green façades and rooftop gardens not only enhance sustainability but also add visual quality to the urban landscape.

Open, light and inviting

The design combines functionality with beauty. The bright and open architecture, spacious entrance hall and well-thought-out layout make the hospital an inviting place. The atrium is reminiscent of an airport terminal: spacious, well-organised and intuitive. Patients and visitors can easily find their way, and as they move deeper into the building, they experience increasing levels of privacy.

Thanks to the design, daylight reaches every room, even the operating theatres and entrance hall. Patients can look out at greenery and rooftop gardens from their beds, and all technical installations are hidden from view. We are not a factory.

Professor Verdonk, Board of Directors, AZ Maria Middelares

Smartly designed for personalised care

EGM architects and LLOX architects collaborated on a well-considered masterplan. The compact layout reduces walking distances and optimises logistics. The functional distribution – with medical-technical spaces on one side, the outpatient clinic on the other, and the nursing wards centrally located – ensures an intuitive and efficient workflow.

Energy-efficient with a future-focused approach

Daylight and nature play a central role. Thanks to large windows, every patient has a view of greenery from their bed. Even operating theatres and the entrance hall are bathed in natural light. The hospital is designed with energy-efficient technologies such as heat recovery, borehole energy storage and advanced cooling systems. All technical installations are fully concealed, preserving the building’s natural aesthetic.

A hospital that feels like home

Compact, clear and accessible: the hospital feels like a familiar environment. The combination of natural light, organic materials and well-structured spaces makes patients, visitors and staff feel welcome and at ease. The design provides not just healthcare, but also tranquillity and orientation.