While Smurfit Westrock is often involved in design processes, being an important part of an architectural design process for a hospital is probably a first. In Turnhout, Belgium we donated at least 500 meters of corrugated cardboard to make architectural plans for a new hospital come to life.

Plans for the new “Hospital in the Green” on the Sint Jozef campus are in the preliminary design phase. The current hospital, AZ Turnhout, wanted hospital employees to be able to make suggestions and comments on the design before being finalized. With the donation of the cardboard, the design team was able to construct a life-sized layout of the core of the hospital, including elevators and patient and consultation rooms, based on initial plans.

 

Doctors, nurses and staff were able to move through the spaces with hospital beds, wheelchairs and cleaning carts, to test out the functionality of the new environment. Designers then collected their feedback to incorporate it into final architectural plans.

The choice of cardboard was purposeful: the lightweight, flexible material made it possible to quickly and efficiently construct a realistic mock-up ideal for testing the design’s usability. For Smurfit Westrock Turnhout, the project is a strong example of local social engagement – not only by supplying practical materials, but also by partnering with a key healthcare provider in the region.

AZ Turnhout is the largest hospital in the Kempen region, employing 2300 people. Construction on the new hospital should begin in early 2026.

 

Smurfit Westrock has a deep commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work and championing the vulnerable. Each year our employees continue to generously give their time, energy, and expertise, to empower communities, encourage wellbeing and inspire future generations.

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