Bienvenus à venir: A-Hus Hôpital universitaire

The Akershus University Hospital, in Oslo, has recently opened after 9 years of work. The complex that covers a total area of 137,000 sqm and cost over €1 billion to build, has been designed  by the Danish architect C. F. Møller .
 
During construction, some 1,400 people from 37 different nations contributed with over 6.2 million man-hours erecting this new ‘super hospital’ thatwill host up to 50.000 patients served by 4,600 staff members, including 426 doctors.
 
 
340,000 inhabitants from surrounding municipalities and boasts space for 50,000 in-patients with 4,600 staff members, including 426 doctors.
 
 
 
The vision was to create something economical, innovative and a place people can relax and be at ease. Klavs Hyttel, partner in C. F. Møller Architects and lead architect of the project commented, “The concept of security should encompass both efficiency, technology and the familiar patterns of the daily routine. It is through this balancing act that we have created the architectural attitude of the building.”
 
The building differs in form throughout, yet notions of light and the outside environment are a common factor linking the assorted areas. Achieved through a glass covered main entrance, brightness is promoted throughout the main artery of the building. Coupled with the overriding use of wood as a key component in the structure. Adding colour and inspiring recovery, a €2.3 million art programme is in place mixing work from fresh and established Scandinavian artists.
 
 
 
Contrasting with the organic materials in use are the advanced technological incorporations: Doctors can order medicine via PC which is then automatically dispatched to the patient; robotic un-manned trucks deliver bed linen and each patient bed comes with a TV, telephone and internet access. These futuristic practises give patients a more relaxed stay and increase the contact time they receive whilst enhancing the efficiency of such an institution.
 
The vision of the Architects was to create something economical, innovative and a place in which people could relax and be at ease. Klavs Hyttel, partner in C. F. Møller Architects and lead architect of the project commented, “The concept of security should encompass both efficiency, technology and the familiar patterns of the daily routine. It is through this balancing act that we have created the architectural attitude of the building.”
 
Achieved through a glass covered main entrance, brightness is promoted throughout the main artery of the building. The use of wood, coupled with the steel and glass is a key component in the structure.  Sober,  though inspiring use of colour is adding style and a comfortable feeling when walking in this building.
 
All materials have been chosen following environmental criteria;
as to flooring, rubber was preferred for its environmental and technical content and eventually chosen after a mock up room had been tested and stressed for months.
Acoustic behaviour was also one of the key issues in an hospital of this size and with such a huge open area connecting the several wings, and rubber is certainly advantaged under this point of view.
 
In total the project counts more than 20.000 sqm of Artigo Granito in 2 and  3mm thickness in different colours, helping to identify the many different areas of the Hospital.
 
Higher thickness, gives better protection to the subfloor and  improves acoustic insulation to treading, Definitely a good choice for corridors and recreation areas where most of the traffic is concentrated.
 
On the other hand, 2mm thickness has better indentation resistance which is making it the best solution for patient rooms where furniture and equipment may become an issue.
 
Steeping into this hospital, at least as a visitor, the feeling is quite amazing. The silent and friendly atmosphere, the style and impression of high efficiency are  really striking.
Robotic un-manned trucks deliver bed linen and medications to virtually every corner, enhancing the feeling of being into an ideal health institution.
 
If you have to be sick, well, this is the place to be !