3XN WINS BØRNERIGET

a team consisting of 3XN, as lead architect, architema architects, niras, rosan bosch studio and kirstine jensens tegnestue as subconsultants has won the competition to design the new national children hospital in copenhagen, where play will be an integral part of the treatment. copenhagen’s rigshospitalet, denmark’s leading hospital, has revealed the winner of the design competition for a new pediatric hospital. ‘BørneRiget’ has a defining characteristic; a building shaped like two hands that support all aspects of pediatric care under one roof.

3XN‘s ambitions are high for this new hospital construction: a chance to revolutionize the entirety of the patient and family experience during treatment. a hospital that will provide patients with the opportunity of being together with their family – maintaining as close to a day to day routine as possible.

‘when our children become ill, the whole family is affected. we have therefore aimed to create an environment where the family can stay close to the patient and have a life as close to what they are used to,’ explains kim herforth nielsen, creative director and founder of   3XN. ‘we have worked a lot with the healing qualities of architecture, considering factors from airflow to daylight while creating opportunities for play and creativity.’

‘hands’ are the metaphorical and organizational principle implemented in the entire building. each ‘hand’ is defined with a public ‘wrist’, providing a lounge area for the family during the stay at the hosptial. each ‘finger’ offers patient bays and at the end of each finger winter gardens. the gardens stretch to the second floor, unfolding with different themes and experiences that accommodate the various patients’ needs. the organizational structure of the design ensures short distances between each area including the gardens at a maximum range of 7 – 20 meters – similar to a standard house.

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