SimBIoZo

Simulation Education in Construction, Innovation and Care

SimBIoZo is a unique repurposing project of an iconic 1970s villa located on the Aalst campus. Through a strong synergy between the Health Care and Technology clusters, the project focuses on supporting realistic practical education using innovative technologies and teaching methods.

The project symbolises the future of care and technology, combined with sustainable and circular construction. The focus Care Innovation (ZInn) within the Health Care research centre and the expertise centre DUBiT (Sustainable Building in Team) are joining forces to create a unique learning environment.

At the heart of the SimBIoZo project is the renovation of the former “director’s villa” and the addition of a dome over the building, transforming and creating 804.1 m² to further expand the current SiTCA (Simulation and Training Centre Aalst).

Students from various programmes will gain even more opportunities to learn in a realistic care environment and grow into fully-fledged care professionals.

Residents

Simulation and Training Centre for Healthcare

SimBIoZo houses the Simulation and Training Centre, known as SiTCA. In this centre, students from the Health Care cluster—nursing, midwifery, dietetics, biomedical laboratory technology, occupational therapy, medical imaging and radiotherapy, and eye care—train and experience realistic scenarios to act effectively in complex care environments.

Students learn to integrate technological tools (medical devices) and digital communication platforms into their care practices. All rooms are equipped with our electronic patient platform, allowing students to align their digital skills and competencies with the hybrid care models of tomorrow. Data-driven care is becoming an integral part of clinical reasoning, case studies, and the simulated care environment. This 1970s “director’s villa” is being transformed to meet the needs of modern education, with space for technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to explore new teaching methods.

"Learning to work with technology, innovation, and communication tools in a safe and controlled environment is highly future-oriented and essential for tomorrow’s care professionals,” says the Flemish ambassador for care and welfare.
The centre also features advanced observation tools for feedback on student performance. SiTCA prides itself on its high-fidelity healthcare simulators—programmable patient models operated in real time—allowing simulations to be tailored to the student’s learning level and keeping exercises challenging and relevant.

Repurposing instead of new construction does not mean less ambition. On the contrary, through architectural and ecologically responsible interventions, the simulation area expands to 804.1 m². There will be more space for primary care, residential care, and pre-hospital care, aligned with future healthcare challenges.

Circular and Future-Proof Construction

This building repurposing project is also a showcase of circular and sustainable construction, aligning with the European Green Deal and the sustainability agendas of the Province of East Flanders, the City of Aalst, and the Flemish Government.

Repurposing this building illustrates how “future-proof construction” requires long-term vision, with sustainable design as the answer. In addition to preserving the existing structure as much as possible, the added materials will primarily consist of recycled and bio-based resources.

An enclosure will be added to protect the building from climatic influences. Within this structure, “living” demonstration zones will showcase innovative material use and circular construction techniques, designed and built by construction students. Students in electromechanics and energy technology will use the building as a case study for minimal energy consumption and the feasibility of off-grid energy and climate systems.