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Copenhagen X Gallery

Copenhagen University Hospital’s North Wing

The Copenhagen University Hospital is to be expanded with the addition of a new zigzag-shaped annexe. Timesaving logistics and peace in the vicinity of the wards are the force behind the idea. This visionary project has already won a prize at the renowned World Architecture Festival

The Copenhagen University Hospital will be expanded with the addition of a 68,000 m2 wing, which will house 300 single-bed wards, a surgical department, and intensive care department, outpatient facilities and an imaging department. The project will also include the construction of a 7,400 m2 patient hotel and a 17,000 m2 car parking facility.

In May 2012 a consortium comprising 3XN, Aarhus Architects, Nickl & Partner Architechten and Grontmij won the competition organised by the University Hospital with their zigzag-shaped building.

"Our design of the Copenhagen University Hospital's North Wing offers a formal solution, which will create peace and calm in the area around the words and the surgical department, but which will also be very effective in terms of logistics.

It will make it easy for people to find their way around and also save time for staff." 
[Kim Herforth Nielsen. Creative Director & Partner. 3XN]

Zigzag shape will provide peaceful wards and effective logistics

The new shape, to which Kim Herforth Nielsen refers, is a simple and effective break with the familiar square-shaped hospital structure. Copenhagen University Hospital's North Wing is constructed as a series of Vs, linked by a transversal thoroughfare, which effectively connects the building's various components, provides shorter distances and makes it easier and simpler for people to find their way around.

Outpatient departments and other functions, which create a lot of traffic, are kept close together on the thoroughfare, while the wards are kept as far away as possible from this busy "main street'. So staff can move quickly from A to B without crossing through the ward sections. This will save an enormous amount of time and create a peaceful atmosphere in the vicinity of the wards.

Healing architecture

The V structure will also create more façade and a wonderful view of the adjacent public park, with a strong inflow of natural light. The design has placed a strong emphasis on pleasant and attractive surroundings, in the belief that they will have a healing effect on the patient. For the same reason the whole hospital will be decorated with art, and there will be plants and trees both inside and out.

A future-proof and flexible hospital

As well as solving present problems such as logistics and peaceful wards, the North Wing has also been created to deal with future challenges. This requires flexibility and the chance to modify the building for any demands the future may present. For example, the wards can be converted to outpatient areas, based on the belief that the future will witness more outpatients and fewer hospitalised patients.

The prize

The North Wing is expected to be completed in 2017, but it has already won a prize at the renowned World Architecture Festival, in the "Future Projects - Health" category. The Jury made this comment on the project: "A very logical design. It is not only functional, but goes that one step further with its great architectural value."

 

 

 

 

Thursday, December 20, 2012 / By iof@dac.dk

Last updated Thursday, February 07, 2013

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