Cladding for Saint-Luc University Hospital

Saint-Luc University Hospital, at Woluwe in Belgium, chose Accoya wood to clad a new wing as well as a bicycle park. The practice Modulo Architects was won over by this modified wood for two main reasons: its extreme durability, confirmed by a 50-year guarantee above ground and 25 years in ground contact, and its minimal maintenance needs, a decisive asset for a healthcare facility. In all, 72 m³ of planed Accoya, in 25 mm x 100 mm sections, were fitted to the upper part of the building to give the exterior an appearance that is both modern and natural, softening the hospital architecture. The wood was supplied by Hout van Steenberge, the Accoya distributor in Belgium. The project illustrates the value of durable timber cladding for large-scale public facilities.