Udbygning og renovering af Sygehus Vendsyssel i Hjørring

The competition-winning design for the extension and refurbishment of the Vendsyssel Hospital seeks to enhance the overarching architectonic identity of the hospital and to inte-grate buildings and landscapes in various ways, including a rooftop children's oasis.

The task includes construction of a new treatment facility (covering about 14,000 m2), a mother and child unit and the overall planning of the extension and refurbishment of the Vendsyssel Hospital site including existing buildings.

The design of the new wings creates an enclosed form surrounding large, well-lit courtyards. The structure is transparent; a circulation loop connects the individual treatment areas and allows for flexibility and overlaps between neighbouring functions. The result is a logical, self-explanatory structure. There are efficient and highly functional links making it easy to find your way around the building.

The clear-cut yet distinctive architecture features sterling materials, in combination with a strong emphasis on landscape, including a series of outdoor spaces with integrated planting, paving and stormwater handling, successfully exploiting every opportunity to create healing architecture. One special characteristic of the building is the layout of the third-floor paediatric unit, which includes a bright and children-friendly interior design, and an enclosed and protected playground, resembling a green oasis, on the roof.

The panel of judges stated: "The overall ethos of the design was best of all those received. The courtyards, both the internal ones and those that form connections between the buildings, are ideal. The secluded outdoor areas on the third floor, which have excellent views and plenty of natural sunlight, are convincing features which underpin the desire for the architecture to become part of the healing aspect of patients' treatment. (...) The choice of dark bricks on both lower floors and the elegant design of the third floor / roof garden with airy glass façades and an espalier made of metal profiles creates an elegant interplay of proportions and materials, coordinating perfectly with the Medical Unit and other buildings. The design proposal set a convincing tone and character for the future development of new and existing buildings alike."

The new buildings will be low-energy class 2020 (by Danish Building Codes), which signifies a primary energy demand of less than 25 kWh/m², and are expected to be certified in accordance with Green Building Council Denmark's DGNB-DK Silver. The new complex is planned for completion in early 2019.

Client: Region Nordjylland
Size: 14.000 m2 (new-built), ca. 11.000 m2 (renovation)
Year: 2014-2019