Center for Health – Copenhagen, Denmark
Title
Center for Health – Copenhagen, Denmark
Website
Designed by
Dorte Mandrup
Image Credit
© Adam Mørk
Project Description
Project description provided by Dorte Mandrup - The new Centre for Health in Copenhagen combines plenty of daylight, natural materials, greenery, and room for movement and community to support rehabilitation and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. Designed by Danish architecture studio Dorte Mandrup, the building features an impressive central space, formed by the sculptural rhythm of 15-metre-high timber arches.
The buildings and landscapes that surround us can affect our behaviour, emotions, and physical health in profound ways. With this in mind, Danish architecture studio Dorte Mandrup has designed Centre for Health in Copenhagen to promote physical activity and improve quality of life for people struggling with lifestyle-related diseases. By prioritising green spaces, plenty of daylight, natural warm materials, movement and places for people to meet and interact, the architecture forms an inviting and calming place that eschews the often impersonal and clinical character of traditional health institutions.
“With Centre for Health, we wanted to create a space that not only contributes to improv-ing the quality of life for the people receiving treatment but actively nudges and empow-ers them towards a healthier lifestyle. The design has evolved through an inclusive and collaborative process with future users, employees and central administration which has allowed us to explore functions, spatiality, tactility and materials that supports their specif-ic needs and strengthens rehabilitation. An important consideration has been to ensure room for interaction and community as having this sense of belonging and togetherness is a crucial part of making treatment more accessible, engaging and supportive, and thus encourage long-term changes,” says Dorte Mandrup, Founder and Creative Director.
Warmth and homeyness are drawn through the interior spaces by exposed wooden clad-ding on walls and ceiling – some perforated for acoustic regulation – chosen for its ability to provide comfort, enhance indoor air quality, and reduce stress. Upon arriving, you are met by an open atrium, shaped by a striking loadbearing structure consisting of 15-metre high three-hinged glulam arches. This central, communal area has been named the Heart Room, and like a heart, it connects to the buildings circulatory system and binds the dif-ferent functions together. From here, there is access to classrooms, areas for physical training, consultation rooms, open meeting spaces, and a kitchen for healthy cooking workshops. A large wooden staircase with integrated seating forms a meeting place in the central atrium where people can gather and interact with each other, enabling spontane-ous, impromptu activities and social encounters. The interior spaces are illuminated by a gentle natural light influx through large windows in the façade and roof which continuously offer new impressions throughout the day.
