Healing architecture has now reached Denmark. In essence, Nord Architects has just finished building the country's first urban hospice. The innovative approach of the Copenhagen-based studio brought a whole new meaning to a peaceful environment.
Design Times discussed how healing architectures are used over time by many health facilities. The "Abandoned Asylum" is the biggest evidence that architects before also tried to incorporate the health and structure into one.
According to Nord Architects official website, Denmark's new hospice just marked another history. Its construction brings a new definition of healing architecture in line with the modernity of this current time.
"The project will replace the existing hospice, designed to reflect and support the notion that healing architecture has a positive effect on palliative patients," Nord Architects website noted. Supposedly, the concept of the place will not only refer to its medical facility function.
The urban hospice is located in one of Denmark's most crowded place. To take note, Nord Architects didn't see Frederiksberg district's urban feature as a disadvantage. It instead optimized the capability of the place more through it.
"By considering the needs of the users, client, and neighbors, Urban Hospice sets a new standard on how you can build innovative healthcare projects in urban contexts," NORD Architects Copenhagen partner Morten Rask Gregersen told. It has spacious yet private areas where patients may still look for relaxation despite being in the center of the city.
As stated by Dezeen, Denmark's newest urban hospice is divided into small buildings. Each space is designed with curved and rectilinear forms. Then, the biggest draw is inner courtyard made for community interactions. It has an overarching mezzanine for safety.
Nord Architects also added some miniature terraces and gardens overlooking from the hospice's windows. Although, the place is covered with a metal facade. The landscape view isn't obscure as its part of how it's a healing architecture.