HVAC, electrical installations and smart energy management for AZ Zeno in Knokke-Heist
AZ Zeno in Knokke-Heist is a forward-thinking hospital that prioritises comfort, natural light and sustainability. EEG was responsible for the technical installations, while EEG Digital Buildings provided the intelligent management of energy and data.
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Integrated technologies for a future-ready hospital in a green environment
AZ Zeno developed a completely new hospital campus to replace its outdated site in the city centre. The project aimed to create an open and welcoming healthcare environment, embedded in a green setting and flooded with natural daylight.
Sustainability and future-readiness were at the heart of the design, with the ambition of creating an energy-efficient hospital prepared for the decades ahead.
A hospital designed for growth and experience
The former AZ Zeno campus offered limited expansion possibilities and no longer met modern expectations. The new site was therefore conceived as a comprehensive concept where healthcare, comfort and nature come together.
The hospital was designed to move away from the traditional institutional image and evolve into an open and inviting place. The focus was placed on light, space and a pleasant experience for patients, visitors and staff alike.
Integrated technical installations as the backbone
Following a public tender process, EEG was awarded responsibility for the complete technical installations. We implemented an integrated approach in which all technical disciplines work seamlessly together.
This included:
• HVAC installations
• Ventilation systems
• Electrical installations
• Central Building Management System (BMS)
• Energy Management System (EMS)
A key design choice was the centralised control of all technical systems. Rather than distributing intelligence across local control panels, the building’s operational logic is managed centrally. This increases reliability and significantly reduces the risk of system failures.
In addition, we implemented a redundant ICT architecture. In the event of a disruption, a secondary data centre automatically takes over without any impact on hospital operations.
Smart energy management and data-driven control
The Building Management System forms the heart of the technical infrastructure. All HVAC and electrical data is consolidated within a single platform, allowing the technical team to respond quickly to alarms while also building valuable long-term insights.
By analysing data and trends, AZ Zeno can continuously optimise its energy consumption and make adjustments where necessary. The EMS adds an extra layer of intelligence by aligning energy production and consumption in the most efficient way possible.
This ensures that renewable energy is utilised optimally and adapted to current energy market conditions. Installations such as the combined heat and power (CHP) system are only activated when operationally and economically justified. The result is an efficient and sustainable energy strategy.
Added value for users and facility management
Thanks to this integrated approach, AZ Zeno benefits from a comfortable indoor climate and highly reliable technical operations. For patients and visitors, this translates into a calm and pleasant environment where healthcare remains the priority.
For the technical department, the system provides a powerful tool for proactive facility management. Data is used as a strategic asset to support decision-making and continuously improve building performance.
The campus is also fully prepared for future developments. New technologies can easily be integrated into the existing infrastructure without major modifications.
A smart-ready building for the future
“Our vision is to centralise all systems as much as possible. This allows us to create a smart-ready building in which new solutions can be integrated easily in the future.”
— Thomas Boelens, Engineer, EEG Digital Buildings
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