A new health centre in Copenhagen, designed by Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter, has opened in the historic Nørrebro district. Commissioned by the City of Copenhagen, the building responds to the growing need for rehabilitation and treatment of people living with lifestyle-related diseases such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The project combines healthcare, architecture, and community interaction, offering a setting that encourages both treatment and social engagement.
Historical and Urban Context
The centre is situated at the entrance of De Gamles By (“the City of the Elderly”), a village-like complex originally established in 1892 as a hospital and care home. Over the decades, the red-brick site has become synonymous with care, wellbeing, and community. It now houses a variety of local services, and the new health centre extends this tradition.
While the surrounding district is dominated by gabled motifs and saddle roofs, the new structure adopts a contemporary form. A softly curved composition of glass and metal opens towards landscaped gardens, linking historical references to modern construction approaches.
Architectural Character
The central architectural element is the Heart Room, a vast atrium framed by a series of 15-metre-high timber glulam arches. This space functions as the core circulation point, visually and physically connecting the various wings of the building.
Key features include:
- Heart Room Atrium: A central space defined by soaring timber arches, intended as the symbolic and functional core.
- Circulatory Layout: Corridors and passageways radiating from the atrium, linking treatment spaces, training areas, classrooms, and meeting rooms.
- Wooden Staircase and Seating: A large staircase with integrated benches serves as a casual gathering point, encouraging spontaneous interaction.
- Material Palette: Extensive use of exposed timber for cladding and ceilings, enhancing indoor air quality while contributing to acoustic and thermal comfort.
The interior is characterised by natural light, open views, and tactile surfaces. The choice of wood, daylight access, and greenery is consistent with research on how architectural settings can positively affect recovery, stress levels, and mental health.
Spaces and Functions
The facility integrates a broad range of functions within its circulation system. These include:
- Classrooms and Training Areas: Spaces for educational programmes on health and wellbeing.
- Consultation Rooms: Private areas for medical treatment and counseling.
- Physical Activity Spaces: Exercise rooms to support rehabilitation and active recovery.
- Healthy Cooking Workshops: A kitchen for nutrition-focused classes and demonstrations.
- Open Meeting Areas: Informal gathering zones for social exchange and community activities.
The combination of programmed spaces is designed to provide patients and visitors with practical resources that go beyond medical treatment.
Social and Community Role
The centre is conceived as more than a clinical facility. Its emphasis on openness and interaction is evident in the large public areas, shared gardens, and gathering spaces. According to the design team, fostering a sense of community is integral to encouraging long-term lifestyle changes. The architecture thus attempts to integrate treatment with social belonging, reducing barriers between medical care and everyday life.
The design enables:
- Interaction between patients, caregivers, and local residents.
- Participation in group activities, from exercise to cooking.
- Informal meetings facilitated by open staircases, atrium seating, and communal zones.
Wellbeing and Sustainability
In addition to serving healthcare needs, the building prioritises wellbeing through architectural strategies:
- Natural Daylight: Large glazed surfaces maximise daylight penetration, supporting circadian rhythms.
- Wooden Interiors: Timber linings contribute to calming acoustics and improved indoor climate.
- Green Integration: Visual and physical access to gardens creates restorative connections to nature.
- Energy Awareness: The use of durable materials and natural ventilation reduces reliance on mechanical systems.
These features reflect Copenhagen’s broader planning approach, where healthcare buildings are expected to embody social sustainability as much as technical efficiency.
Conclusion
The project demonstrates how healthcare architecture can evolve from strictly clinical environments to spaces that actively engage users. Rather than separating treatment from everyday activity, the design merges medical care with community, learning, and interaction. By positioning the building at the edge of De Gamles By, the centre becomes part of a continuum of care stretching back more than a century. Its cathedral-like arches give it an iconic presence, but its success is likely to be measured in how it supports rehabilitation and empowers users towards healthier lifestyles.
Image credit: Adam Mørk
