Since 2019, UZ Brussel has been undertaking a large-scale renovation of its hospital infrastructure. The most extensive and notable sub-project is the construction of the new medical-technical block. The project will be delivered in multiple phases and will form the heart of future healthcare delivery at the Jette campus. The first phase will be commissioned in August, and by the summer of 2026, all functions in the complete block should be operational. Project manager Sven Van de Putte from Group Jansen provides a unique insight into this challenging construction site.
Iconic Hospital
At the university hospital campus of UZ Brussel (VUB), the heart of the hospital has been visible for several months. This new construction is part of phase 2 of the 2030 master plan to renovate UZ Brussel by the end of 2029. The block will house operating theaters, a kidney dialysis center, medical imaging departments, an oncology center, intensive care units, and more. Since 2023, Group Jansen has been co-responsible for the installation of technical systems and the finishing of this iconic hospital building. Here, we combine the expertise of Jansen Building Projects, Jansen Ceiling Solutions, Jansen Cleanrooms & Labs, Jansen Joinery, and Jansen Wall Solutions. A coordination task that project manager Sven Van de Putte and his 11 fellow project managers have their work cut out for. “A hospital is indeed a very challenging environment due to the multitude of technical systems. Some of these are unique to this type of project, such as medical gases, pneumatic tube systems, and so on. This requires extensive coordination work,” says Sven.
Value Engineering
The coordination at UZ Brussels involves much more than aligning different activities in time and space. “We utilize 3D modeling and Building Information Management (BIM) for this purpose. Not only did we eliminate interface issues and develop solutions, but we also generate added value through value engineering. We proposed eliminating heat recovery from wastewater due to its limited yield. Furthermore, we better aligned epoxy flooring with actual usage, enabling a more cost-effective solution. For the ceilings, we proposed our in-house J’Sky climate ceilings as a more maintenance-friendly alternative,” explains Sven Van de Putte.
Safety First
Ensuring the safe daily work of 145 workers in a complex construction environment is no small feat. “We place a strong emphasis on safety. We have our own safety coach who monitors safe working practices on site daily,” indicates Sven Van de Putte. “Another safety challenge involves the upcoming interim deliveries. In some cases, such zones border our construction site. We thoroughly raise awareness through various actions.”