Moervaartheem Residential Care Center, Wachtebeke

For WZC Moervaartheem in Wachtebeke, De Klerck Engineering was responsible for the stability analysis, engineering design, and EPB reporting for a new building project involving the renovation of existing care wings. The project was designed to allow for continuous use of the site, with full integration of the existing assisted-living units and uninterrupted connections for water, electricity, data, heating, fire detection, and nurse call systems.

The technical systems were developed in accordance with VIPA criteria, EPB requirements, and healthcare-specific standards. The design includes, among other things, variable-flow condensing gas boilers, ventilation with heat recovery, comfort and peak cooling, rainwater recovery, a 100 kWp PV system, a renovated electrical distribution system, UPS for critical systems, LED lighting, a healthcare-focused IT network, access control, video surveillance, nurse call systems, and wandering detection.

The structural analysis also called for a robust and carefully phased approach. The main structural framework combines load-bearing sand-lime brick walls, concrete elevator cores, precast slabs, columns, and beams, with a fully watertight basement structure and connections to existing underground structural elements. This resulted in a sustainable and safe structural concept that meets the specific comfort and safety requirements of a modern residential care center.