355-Hospital multi-level car park

– Architecture
– Construction management
– Interior design
– Landscaping
– Mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering
– Project management
– Quantity surveying
– Structural engineering
– Urban design

2003.02.05 

The university hospital complex of the Sart Tilman, designed by Charles Vandenhove, overlooks the Ourthe river valley. The project for a new car park, adjacent to an existing paying parking, allows to solve the problem of unauthorised parking and to structure the esplanade by giving it an architectural setting.

The superstructure of the parking is designed to contain at least 423 parking spaces. It can be built in several stages with possible extensions in height as well as in length.

The type of parking retained appears to be the most suited to the site’s overall volume and the most effective one, resulting in a mix between the spiral parking and the split-level parking types.

The geometry of the floors endows the building with its singularity. The exterior edge of the floors is horizontal while the interior edge is sinusoidal.

The sinusoid, responding to a simple mathematical formula, is designed to match the level change between the floors.

The important structural development of the Walloon timber industry encourages us to propose a complete wooden structure, with low environmental costs.

Two fundamental questions have to be answered appropriately.

The first question deals with its resistance. In sum, wood has the same resistance and stiffness as concrete, creeps in the same way, but it is four times lighter. Wood structures are more sensitive to low frequency vibrations. Wood has the same fire resistance than concrete at equivalent section but it can burn down. It should thus be treated with an intumescent coating.

The second question relates to its sensitivity to moisture. Wood is a material highly sensitive to moisture and even more to rain water streaming. Any water streaming on the wood components should thus be avoided.

Hence, it is considered to apply a visco-elastic wearing surface, such as asphalt, to reach the critical absorption, while ensuring sufficient protection against moisture.

The structure of the parking is protected against poor weather with a screen of glass louvers, that allow free air flow and natural light penetration.

Document E41_01/-En Issue of 1998-03-13