Hospital extension, Stockholm

Since winning the international competition in February 2010, the architects have developed their winning proposal for a new emergency facility along with surgery and maternity departments in close collaboration with hospital staff.

The critical issues have been how to secure the welfare of the patient while providing the best possible care. This includes staff organization and the configuration of the building. It was also important to secure the internal connections between wards in order to minimize personnel movements and focus on the treatment of patients.

The emergency department is located on the ground floor with a direct connection to the existing radiology department on the same level and the new ambulance entrance. The surgical departments are located on the next two floors, with an elevator connection to the sterilization department in the basement. On the two top floors the maternity ward has a beautiful view of the Stockholm skyline.

The project is based on a logical, communicative structure. Natural light and the ability of patients and staff to be able to orient themselves have been the main objectives. The new addition utilizes the old hospital's structure and modernizes the hospital's white plaster facade with a patchwork of white ceramic and glass tile squares.

The window placement is based on the different views from patients' rooms. Whether lying in bed or sitting in a chair, the patient should get a view of the surroundings. The courtyard outside the pediatric emergency department is colourful with playful, oversized sculptures aimed to give children and parents a positive distraction.

The judging panel of the competition emphasized the flexibility and potential of the winning proposal and stated that the architects demonstrated a great deal of thoughtfulness, from the context of the building down to details concerning the welfare of the patients.