New North Zealand Hospital by C.F. Møller

Finalist for the new North Zealand Hospital, C.F. Møller‘s proposal integrates architecture with nature to ‘form a safe environment for patients, a super functional and attractive workplace and a green recreational haven for all citizens in the area’.

Image © C. F. Møller

The New Zealand citizens will have a new and modern hospital in 2020. The 124,000 m² hospital is to be built in green surrounding close to Hillerød city on a budget running to DKK 3.8 billion. The idea of the new North Zealand hospital has been to create a landmark in line with the nearby Frederiksborg Castle.

Image © C. F. Møller

The location of the hospital consistently brings people close to nature both inside and out, something that C.F. Møller has explored into their proposal. The architectural expression is based on an organic, soft and humane design, including treatment buildings with courtyards, landscaped gardens, and green roofs.

Image © C. F. Møller

The proposal’s strength is the landscape integration, which ties in very well with the building volumes and balances the stretch of the complex. The horizontal underlining of floors results in a calm and harmonious facade. Here, the link with the compelling landscape design is exemplary.

– Competition Jury

Image © C. F. Møller

The complex is diminished in scale by dividing the building into two elongated curves that mark the entrances to the city of Hillerød in the north, and to the new railway station and urban development in the south-east, thus forming an overall organization of the wards in a soft sinuous shape.

Image © C. F. Møller

A public garden promenade, inspired by New York’s green highline, leads into and right through the hospital complex, and makes the building open and democratically accessible to all citizens in the area: You can follow the path up to the roof and enjoy the view, without compromising the privacy of the patient rooms.

Image © C. F. Møller

Inside, the unifying central lobby, or internal street, forms the focal point of the treatment floors – with the less intensive outpatient units located at the level of the main entrance, while the more intensive treatment units are located one floor below to create a higher degree of privacy. The internal integrates several squares with play spaces for children and an amphitheatre ramp, which can serve as a cultural meeting place or for research and teaching events.

Image © C. F. Møller

The hospital’s compact layout ensures maximum functionality for the staff, efficient logistics and short working distances. Focusing on efficient flows for employees ensures they have more time for patients and their relatives. The internal layout, with the double-height internal street and spacious vertical connections up to the bed wards above, is logical, clear and concise so that everyone can find their way around and feel safe and welcome.

Image © C. F. Møller

Image © C. F. Møller

All one-bed rooms have sweeping views of the countryside right from the beds, and each room focuses on a sense of homeliness with chalorous materials, such as wood, to create an atmosphere more reminiscent of a comfortable hotel room.

Image © C. F. Møller

Image © C. F. Møller

Image © C. F. Møller

Image © C. F. Møller

Facts:
Client: Copenhagen Region
Address: Hillerød, Denmark
Consortium: (Lead consultancy and copyright): C.F. Møller A/S (architects), Alectia A/S, Rambøll A/S (engineers)
Sub-consultants: Søren Jensen, Rådgivende Ingeniørfirma A/S (engineers), Cubo Arkitekter A/S (architects), Tredje Natur Aps (landscape architects)
The consortium, comprising C.F. Møller Architects and engineers Alectia and Rambøll Danmark, with Cubo Arkitekter, Søren Jensen engineers and landscape architects Tredje Natur as sub-consultants, is a strong, interdisciplinary team with recent experience of some of Denmark’s largest healthcare construction projects and leading examples of evidence-based healing architecture. For example, the consortium acts as full-service consultants to the New Aarhus University Hospital currently under construction at Skejby, north of Aarhus, and the New University Hospital in Køge, which the consortium won in June 2013.
Size: 124,000 m²
Year: 2013-2014
Awards: 1^st Prize in international competition (phase I), Finalist (phase II)

*All images and information courtesy of C.F. Møller.