Herlev Hospital – Denmark
An icon of the Scandinavian idea of a welfare state this classic building serves Copenhagen. A new extension is underway to modernise the complex and introduce 21st-century standards of care.
Profile:
- Height: 120m
- Floors: 25
- Built: 1976, plus completion of an extension in 2018
- Use: hospital
- Location: Copenhagen – capital, population 1.2m
Design
The original hospital was a functional architectural design, with 1600 beds.
A new extension began in 2015 – to construct three more circular buildings around the existing high rise hospital, including a new emergency department and maternity ward. The focus has shifted to placing an emphasis on the wellbeing of patients and staff as part of so-called ‘healing architecture’. This includes:
- Areas that maximise the health benefits of nature – via a roof garden, green and open ‘heart’ in the middle of the hospital and natural courtyards.
- Curved windows for patients to be able to look out on to the gardens.
Extension by Henney Larsen Architects, who won the competition in 2011, and SLA landscape designers. Krabbenhoft + Ingolfsson consulting engineers. NCC providing concrete and steelworks.
The new extension was completed in 2018.
the new extension as seen from the air 
plan view of new extension
Construction
Engineers and architects of the new extension utilised modern techniques – including BIM modelling.
[Image credits for this page: dezeen.com , ncc.com, krabbenhoft.eu]