GZC Dampoort
Health Center | Middelburg
GZC Dampoort is a large health center with two floors, bringing together numerous healthcare providers under one roof. In this one-and-a-half-line health center, a general practitioner’s practice, psychologist, outpatient clinic, pharmacy, dermatologist, and many others will be established.
The connecting island at the roundabout
The site is an island where several streets converge. The building is therefore “cut open” and unfolded, following the building lines of the surrounding structures. Its design is organized around healthcare needs and is laid out horizontally in relation to the context. The surrounding area is characterized by dark facades with light accents. The health center has a dual-aspect design, integrating both with the environment and its healthcare function.
Brick was chosen as the primary material for its sense of calm and ‘stability’
Dark exterior and light interior
Although the building houses various healthcare functions, it feels like a unified whole. Different functionalities can be perceived but are not literally expressed from the inside, preventing a fragmented massing.
For a sense of calm and “stability,” brick was chosen as the primary material.
The exterior facing the roundabout features a dark base with light accents, in harmony with the surroundings. The interior, in contrast, has a light base with dark accents, appropriate for the healthcare function due to its calm and bright colors. From a distance, the two brick tones create a light-dark contrast, while up close, the subtle nuances of the two types of brick become more apparent.
On the façade facing the roundabout, a recess has been created at the waiting area, revealing the light interior volume. The building consists of a dark outer shell enclosing a light inner core, which is visible where the shell is opened. The window openings are designed based on the privacy needs of the healthcare functions.
