Building with care

In Capelle aan den IJssel, care is getting a new face. Here, Middelwateringbouw is building the Watermolen Elderly Psychiatry Treatment Center: a place where elderly people with psychiatric problems will find a safe and pleasant environment. Construction is in full swing and requires precision, cooperation and smart logistics. Project Manager Mathijs Kneppers takes us along for a look behind the scenes.

For Middelwateringbouw, this project is special. "We have experience with residential construction, schools and commercial construction, but this is our first major healthcare assignment," Kneppers says. "Technically, we are working with familiar materials, such as sand-lime brick and concrete, but the size and specific healthcare functions make it challenging. We're not building a standard apartment complex here; it's over 100 rooms, each with an important function in the treatment of the elderly." ❯

The treatment center will have four floors. The lower floors will consist of residential wings where patients can congregate in common areas. On the top floor are offices and facilities for employees. There is also an extra secure room (EBK); a low-stimulation room for patients who need temporary observation. "The building should not only be functional, but also a place where people feel comfortable. Therefore, the environment is completely focused on rest and recovery."

Building in a place that never stands still

Putting up a healthcare building next to the IJsselland Hospital requires extra measures. "Ambulances must always have free passage and the surroundings must remain safe for visitors and staff," Kneppers explains. "We work with a tight schedule and take into account visiting hours and rush hours, so that there is as little inconvenience as possible."

The limited space on the construction site adds another layer of complexity. "In a meadow you build without many constraints, here every transport moment has to be coordinated," Kneppers says. "From day one, we made clear agreements with the hospital and the other healthcare facilities on the site. This prevents surprises and keeps construction efficient."

Flexibility is not a luxury, but a necessity

Building in the healthcare sector requires more than just craftsmanship. "The technical requirements are different from regular residential construction," says Kneppers. "For example, some rooms in Watermill will have hoists, and materials must withstand intensive use." On top of that, modifications are often needed as they go along. "We are constantly communicating with the client and the healthcare professionals who will soon be working here. Their insights are indispensable. Sometimes that leads to last-minute adjustments, but that's part of the job. We are not building for ourselves, but for the people who will soon be staying and working here."

A project with impact

Watermill is not just a construction site; it is a place where people take new steps in their lives. For Kneppers and his team, that's an added motivation. "We not only want to put up a beautiful building, but also contribute something to society," he says. With a planned completion date of December 2025, work continues apace in the coming months. 

Projects like Watermill show how challenging and valuable building for healthcare is. "The dynamics, precision and social importance make this work special," Kneppers concludes. "We hope to contribute to projects like this more often in the future. It's nice to build something that has real impact."