University Hospital Leuven : building a radiopharmacy production and research facility in Belgium

With its partner MODULO Architects, Tractebel has been awarded a new contract by the University Hospital of Leuven and the KU Leuven to build an annex to the hospital that will include a nuclear medicine production and research facility. The eight-floor building will consist of cyclotron and irradiation vaults, a radiopharmacy, experimental imaging laboratories, offices, and meeting and technical rooms. The new building, located on the university’s Gasthuisberg hospital campus, will be innovative, high-tech and sustainable. Its eye-catching design will integrate harmoniously within the campus and surroundings.

©MODULO architects

Multidisciplinary collaboration to advance nuclear medicine

Jointly with MODULO, our engineers will provide engineering assistance in the tendering process to define the contractors and will oversee the construction works of the project that will run for over three years.The project will require several competences including civil engineering, electricity, heating, ventilation and fire prevention. Specific skills are required for the nuclear areas of the building, especially with regards air conditioning (HVAC) and radioprotection. Our role is also to incorporate energy savings aspects and the future decommissioning of the controlled areas in the original design.

Tractebel provides sustainability in healthcare projects

Since the building will host nuclear medicine equipment, it must comply with the stringent norms of the Belgian nuclear authority FANC. The infrastructure will be classified as a IIA building, which requires high levels of radio-safety and security. Our extensive experience in the nuclear sector is crucial to realizing the project. In addition, the radiopharmacy must not only comply with radioprotection regulation, but also with pharmaceuticals’ manufacturing production norms and be adaptable for the production of novel radioisotopes in the future. Our engineers will also integrate sustainability into the design, including energy efficiency and water management.

©Fernand Letist

“We are proud that Tractebel has been selected for this project that will contribute to people’s well-being in Belgium. It shows that we are recognized for our ability to successfully execute healthcare projects. Our engineers have specific skills that combine infrastructure, nuclear and radioprotection competences. We provide a unique, one-stop-shop approach to designing facilities hosting nuclear medicine equipment while incorporating sustainability .”
Geoffrey Rézer, Sales Manager, Infrastructures and Philippe Damhaut, Product Manager, Nuclear Medical Applications