Sweco is shaping the hospital of the future on a human scale

Südspidol as a landmark of healing connection

Engineering and architectural firm Sweco is at the helm of the SWECO/G.A.F./S.W.A.A. consortium that will develop the Südspidol hospital complex in Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg) for Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch (CHEM).

Südspidol © CHEM

At Sweco, we look beyond the physical structure of hospitals. We see a future where hospitals serve as more than just treatment centres. We see them as an integral part of the community, a safe haven for patients in difficult times, and with a stimulating working environment for personnel. These are locations that do not only provide for the physical health of patients, but also contribute to the wellbeing of the community as a whole.

Sweco’s strength lies in our multidisciplinary approach and the pooling of knowledge across divisions and countries. Our teams of experts work together to create innovative solutions that meet the needs of patients and medical personnel. We use advanced techniques and technologies to create a healthy and calming environment, which means guaranteeing healthy air quality, designing rooms with a calming effect, and optimising trajectories for efficiency.

Erwin Malcorps, Business Area President Sweco Belgium, explains: “We are immensely proud to develop Südspidol as a full life cycle partner. This project exemplifies our relentless drive for innovation and reinforces our position as a market leader in the healthcare sector. We are confident that this pioneering complex will significantly raise the standard for healthcare infrastructure. As a frontrunner in hospital design and engineering, this fits perfectly into our growth strategy for integrated construction projects. Furthermore, this is a transition-oriented assignment that will have an impact on the wellbeing of several generations. Our experts create the best possible conditions for patient-centred healing environments.”

Photo Credit: Christian Weis (President, CHEM), Erwin Malcorps (Business Area President, Sweco Belgium)

“This complex, multidisciplinary project is streamlined by Sweco’s integrated project management (IPM) approach. Our experienced IPM team provides solid management of the various aspects of projects, improved project and risk management, transparency in processes and decision-making, smart budget control and flexible deployment of employees. With more than 50 stakeholders from different countries and interaction in five languages, it is essential to maintain tight coordination lines,” according to project director Daniela D’Oosterlinck (Sweco).

Connective design

The design exudes a harmony between technology and humanity. The surrounding park is accessible to the local community and public, and it blends seamlessly into the heart of the building, ensuring that nature is always within reach. Special attention is paid to minimising distances and optimising orientation, which contributes to smooth and intuitive navigation through the site.

Futureproof concept

The new Südspidol hospital complex is more than just a building: it is a promise of a better future. This project transcends the boundaries of traditional healthcare and offers a holistic approach that focuses on personalised care, patient safety, energy efficiency and collaboration with other healthcare facilities. Our objective is not only to build an innovative and future-oriented hospital, but to develop a comprehensive medical concept that perfectly meets the needs of the population in the southern region of Luxembourg.

Photo Credit: Südspidol © CHEM

FACTS & FIGURES

Our contribution

Südspidol will become a large-scale health hub in the south of Luxembourg with a gross floor area of 121,000 m² and around 600 beds, the majority of which will be single rooms. Sweco is responsible for the full spectrum of design phases, from preliminary design to implementation design. Our expertise includes BIM design and coordination, permit processes, tendering, budget control, construction management and commissioning.

Close collaboration with our architectural partners, G.A.F. (Gortemaker Algra Feenstra Architects B.V.) from the Netherlands and S.W.A.A. (Schemel Wirtz Architects Associés Sàrl) from Luxembourg, is crucial to the success of this project. LSC Engineering Group from Luxembourg is responsible for site monitoring and landscape design.

Südspidol is one of the most ambitious hospital projects Sweco has ever undertaken. This project is distinctive for its focus on quality, organisation and expertise. It is expected that the complex will be fully operational by the end of 2033.

High sustainability ambition

CHEM aims to achieve DGNB certification, which is an accreditation from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen for sustainable construction projects. The DGNB system, which weighs ecology, economy and socio-cultural quality equally, offers a holistic approach to sustainability. Our planning team proposes energy efficient solutions such as solar panels, geothermal energy, decoupled ventilation, and cooling and heating by activating the thermal mass of the building to achieve this certificate.

Streamlined organisation

The new site will act as a central hub for CHEM’s activities, which are currently still spread across three different locations: Niedercorn, Dudelange and Esch-sur-Alzette. The complex, which is distinguished by its unique triangular architecture, is designed to accommodate a wide range of services, ranging from ambulance and nursing services to a specialised oncology centre and departments for psychiatry and geriatrics. The elegantly designed main entrance provides a seamless connection between the different buildings, thereby guaranteeing an efficient and streamlined experience for both patients and caregivers.