First step towards the hospital of the future
The expanded and transformed Linköping University Hospital is inaugurated on 15th January, becoming the first completed project within the Sweden’s investment in the hospitals of the future. White Arkitekter is responsible for the design of this hospital, where patients now have single rooms, more daylight and a more attractive environment while the healthcare processes become more efficient.
The expansion includes a new entrance, a new emergency department, new clinical wards, educational, a new ambulance hall and a new helicopter pad. The project has 600 beds and all inpatient care is provided in singles rooms. A team of architects and engineers from White’s offices in Stockholm and Linköping designed the new buildings.
”This means a big boost for patients and staff, while the link between the hospital, education and research becomes even stronger than before”, says Linda Mattsson, head architect at White.
This investment from the region is large and of a long-term nature. White Arkitekter is responsible for the masterplan for the whole hospital area. During development, between 2009 and 2010, it was identified that creating new buildings located centrally would benefit the work flows between the different functional areas. The first step of the planning is now completed.
The accessibility to the hospital area has also been improved by moving the emergency service towards the west of the building and giving it its own access road, enhancing efficiency and safety. This has helped transforming the area into an attractive and central city area.
”These changes alterations are the ones that the population of Linköping will probably notice more, because many people circulate in this area every day. When the road to the new entrance is finalized, it will be much easier and more pleasant to move within the city.”
The hospital previously lacked a central area. White has created a large atrium adjacent to the new northern entrance. The result is a new space for patients, relatives, staff and visitors. Large scale installation art is mounted on the ceiling and resting on the floor. Art in combination with the new entrance and atrium, makes an attractive composition; a bold design gesture which also aids in orientating oneself to the desired destination within the hospital.
The V-shaped columns are a symbol for the hospital as they have character and provide the construction with stability.
The project has an area of about 65 000 sqm.
The art work in the atrium of the building is by Sophie Tottie (on the floor and elevator tower) and David Taylor (ceiling).
Photo: Wilhelm Rejnus, Ken Pils, White View
Linda Mattsson, head architect, +46 (0)8-4022562, linda.mattsson@white.se
White Arkitekter was founded by Sidney White in 1951 and is Scandinavia’s leading architectural firm with over 800 employees working in 14 offices in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the UK. Our work is research focused and our expertise encompasses architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and interior design.
For nearly two decades, White has invested in establishing a unique research-based department of highly qualified experts in the field of sustainable design. Our founder’s aim was to improve society through architecture and his legacy lives on in our ambition to contribute towards the building of a sustainable world.
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