Expansion for the future
By dividing the entire new development into two phases, the building can be adapted to meet evolving demands over time. This strategy creates maximum flexibility for the hospital organization to implement new insights in nursing and treatment within the building.
Organizational principle
The organizational principle of Phase 2 of the new development follows the layout of Phase 1: a three-story base for outpatient functions and a two-story upper structure for clinical functions—one floor dedicated to surgical specialties and one to medical (non-surgical) specialties. Between the base and the upper structure are non-patient-related functions, such as laboratories and the pharmacy.
The elongated new building is positioned along the edges of the site, allowing the streets surrounding the hospital to once again function as true city streets, in accordance with the municipality’s vision. The three-story base aligns in height with the surrounding office buildings, while the recessed upper structure softens the building’s silhouette toward the city.
Flexibility
The building is characterized by a linear structure. Such a layout offers many advantages: the building’s height remains limited, and it allows for flexible internal organization, as it has only two fixed endpoints. If a department requires additional space, this can be accommodated within the existing footprint, without the need to expand into another wing or move to a different floor.
Never lose your way
Good orientation is an essential quality in a large building. In the Dijklander Hospital, this has been achieved by designing a slender layout, allowing patients to look outside while moving along the main circulation route. Most corridors and waiting areas receive daylight, with views on one side and rooms on the other.
The surroundings shape the appearance
The Dijklander Hospital incorporates several characteristic elements of the city of Hoorn and the West Frisian region, such as a light-colored base with a more solid, stone-like upper structure. Vertical columns along the horizontal façade resemble trees lining a polder road. The brick color of the upper floors references the red roof tiles typical of West Frisian farmhouses. The building also has a distinct identity of its own. The upper floors are set back from the lower levels, which not only softens the building’s outline but also allows the base structure to be developed independently from the upper structure.
