schmidt hammer lassen architects to extend helsingborg hospital in sweden

‘helsingborg hospital extension’ by schmidt hammer lassen architects, skåne, swedenimage © schmidt hammer lassen architects

internationally acclaimed schmidt hammer lassen architects have just won the competition to design a 35,000 m2 extension to the helsingborghospital in southern sweden. the design is carefully thought out to provide natural daylight and access to green courtyards for the new ward foradult psychiatry, the out-patient clinic, and added medical laboratories in a logical structure that responds not only to the existing hospital but to the city as well. a central hallway is the unifying factor in the organization of spaces, creating a clear interior ‘urban street’ that services the branching program which makes for a rational flow but also makes it easier to adapt new extensions in the future. functions are situated in theoptimal locations to cut down on patient walking times in the case they need to move from one wing to another, and also streamlines the transportof items or products throughout the complex.  the project was designed in collaboration with aarhus arkitekterne, NNE pharmaplan and landscape architects kragh & berglund.

‘we have designed a single building, whose architecture relates both to the existing hospital and the surrounding city. the building is expressed in one sculptural form, which houses three areas of activity: the out-patient clinic and laboratories in the lower and compact levels of the building, while the top levels containing the psychiatric ward open up to a more transparent structure.’

– kasper frandsen, associate partner at schmidt hammer lassen architects

view from the streetimage © schmidt hammer lassen architects

‘human beings are the focal point of our approach to designing hospitals. though we know that the buildings must support rational and efficient clinical operations, we never forget that this is all about people – about individuals with a soul and ability to feel and understand.’

– mr. kim holst jensen, partner at schmidt hammer lassen

vertical facade panels alternate between solid and void for views and lightimage © schmidt hammer lassen architects

internal roof courtyardsimage © schmidt hammer lassen architects

patient roomimage © schmidt hammer lassen architects

aerial viewimage © schmidt hammer lassen architects

project info:

architect teamlead-consultant: schmidt hammer lassen architectssub-consultants: aarhus arkitekterne, nne pharmaplanclient: region skåne, regionservice (sweden)area: app. 35,000 m2competition: 2013, 1st prize in restricted competitionlandscape architect: kragh & berglund stockholm