The UKJA is the largest children's psychiatric centre in Flanders and has 94 beds and places for outpatients. These beds are currently spread across two sites. ZNA wants to centralise this capacity at the site in Middelheim.

Centralising the bed capacity involves an expansion of the existing infrastructure that must offer the capability of accommodating 32 beds, divided into 4 separate age groups of 8 residential places:

8 residential places for children in their latency phase (6-12 years);

8 residential places for adolescents with developmental disorders and psychoses;

8 residential places for treating young delinquents;

8 residential places for young people with serious behavioural disorders

The new building also needs to provide space for expanding the hospital school and has to meet the demand to expand the polyclinic function (discussions areas, treatment and examination rooms), meeting facilities and multipurpose areas.

The extension covers approximately 5,000m² for the actual hospital part and 900 m² for the hospital school.

The infrastructure must be suitable for the specific needs of receiving and treating children with psychiatric disorders. This means that having a homely and restful setting is essential. Integrating the building as part of a green environment, with gardens and sufficient opportunity for the residents to go outside, is important.