Healthcare

Forensic Psychiatry at St. Hans Hospital

Project information

  1. Location Roskilde, Denmark
  2. Area20.000 m²
  3. Construction cost490 mill DKK

Project details

  1. Year2013 — 2021
  2. StatusCompleted
  3. Partners KHR arkitekter
    Oluf Jørgensen AS
    Spangenberg & Madsen
    WSP
    Opland Landskabsarkitekter
  4. Client Region Hovedstaden Psykiatri
  5. Enquiries Lars Hetland
  6. Scope Hospital and health care planning and design
    New Build

The new Forensic Psychiatry at St. Hans Hospital unites the architectural and cultural heritage in the existing hospital with the area's landscape qualities and requirements for a top-security institution in an attractive and gracious building complex based on healing architecture.

Safety conditions are integrated into the architecture and facilities. The building is based on the region's visions for the future of psychiatry, where the patient is at the centre, and the physical environment is stimulating with room for movement and activity. This was achieved by strengthening the site's potential – new living units were placed on plateaus in the beautifully curved terrain, organised in clusters around common health gardens. Together they form the framework of a closed park that offers a broad variety of activities and recreational options.

A core vision for the project was to tailor treatment to patients' individual needs, depending on the severity of their illness. The building, through its architecture, landscape architecture, design, and building-integrated art, supports the overall treatment approach and visions for the future of psychiatry.

A consistent parameter for the planning was the focus on the workflows, wellbeing and safety of staff and patients. For the healing qualities of the architecture, we focused on the importance of natural light, air and nature – the view of the fantastic surrounding landscape can be seen from anywhere in the building.

The interior exudes light, air and calm yet appears warm and bright at the same time. Materials were selected to provide a tactile and sensory environment, where rooms are furnished and adapted without compromising the requirements for robustness. The design strategy included rounded corners with a focus on reducing blind angles and minimising risks for patients.