Healthcare

Centre for Psychiatric Healthcare in Nordbyhagen (PHN)

Project information

  1. Location Lørenskog, Norway
  2. Area9.800 m²
  3. Construction cost872 MNOK

Project details

  1. Year2019 — 2025
  2. StatusDelivered
  3. Partners Bjørbekk & Lindheim
    Norconsult
    Skanska
  4. Client Akershus universitetssykehus HF
  5. Enquiries Anders Lager
  6. Scope Hospital and health care planning and design
    Sustainability
    VIZ
    BIM
    Interior design
    Rehabilitation
    New Build

A safe and welcoming space

The new Psychiatric Centre at Nordbyhagen (PHN) has opened in Ahus hospital, welcoming its first patients. Delivered on time and on budget, this project reflects our commitment to creating spaces that support recovery and wellbeing for people in vulnerable situations.

By thoughtfully integrating light, color, materials, and outdoor spaces, we’ve worked to make everyday life more comfortable and supportive—for both patients and staff. Anders Lager, Project Leader

The centre brings together adult, children, and adolescent psychiatric services in one cohesive facility. It includes 24-hour care units, shared functions, activity spaces, and a new main entrance that connects seamlessly to existing buildings. Generous courtyards, roof gardens, and bright communal areas ensure access to light, nature, and calm surroundings.

Rooted in the hospital campus

Located on the east side of the park at Ahus, the centre sits in harmony with its surroundings. Its low-rise profile and simple geometry respect the landscape and existing hospital buildings, while creating a clear and dignified entrance from a new forecourt. This thoughtful placement enhances accessibility and strengthens the connection between psychiatric and somatic care.

We wanted to design a space where architecture becomes part of the healing process – a place that feels safe, humane, and connected to nature

Shaped with purpose

Daylight has been a guiding principle throughout the design. Its ability to change character and bring sensory richness shaped the building's experience. External venetian blinds allow patients to control privacy and views, creating a gentle play of light that adds calm and texture.

Colour was treated as a quiet layer of care. Instead of white or grey surfaces, we used warm, uplifting tones that vary by room and function, supporting orientation and mood without adding cost.

Robustness in psychiatric settings opened opportunities for natural, durable materials. Wood-wool cement boards in ceilings offer acoustic benefits and a tactile expression, while birch plywood adds warmth and resilience to furniture and handrails.

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Outdoor spaces that invite daily use

Safe, shielded outdoor rooms are essential—places patients can step into whenever they choose. At PHN, we’ve created several distinct outdoor settings, each with its own character, to encourage regular use and personal preference. These spaces will grow greener and softer as seasons change, reinforcing the connection to nature.

Calm, control, and dignity by design

Above all, our ambition has been to create a setting that supports better care and faster recovery for people in vulnerable moments—offering calm, control, and dignity by design.