Center for Health design by Dorte Mandrup
The buildings and landscapes that surround us can profoundly affect our behaviour, emotions, and physical health. Nestled at the entrance to the beloved Copenhagen neighbourhood ‘De Gamles By’, Centre for Health is sensitively integrated into a historic urban context long associated with care and wellbeing. The building embodies the transformative potential of architecture, employing thoughtful design to encourage physical activity, foster rehabilitation. and improve quality of life for individuals affected by lifestyle-related illnesses.
In the heart of Copenhagen’s densely populated Nørrebro district, somewhat hidden from plain view, lies the small green oasis of ‘De Gamles By (City for the Elderly). Originally built between 1885 and 1892 as a hospital and home for the city’s elderly residents, the architecture and landscapes of ‘De Gamles By’ were designed to provide a calming, self-contained village atmosphere, reflecting a vision of communal living for those no longer able to care for themselves. Today, the neighbourhood has been reimagined as an open, public environment, offering different community services and a unique recreational pocket within the dense urban fabric of Nørrebro.
Drawing inspiration from the gable motifs and saddle roofs characteristic of the area, Centre for Health reflects the diverse architectural heritage surrounding it and underlines the rhythm of the neighbouring buildings. However, while the building’s geometric form, materiality, and colour respectfully respond to the context, it simultaneously establishes a contemporary contrast, bridging past and the present. Centre for Health is shaped like a softly curved arch that opens towards a garden. Black-brown anodised aluminium sheets embrace and protect the interior spaces towards the street – like a protective skin pulled from the roof. On the garden side, the building opens with a full glass façade, inviting natural daylight and visually connecting the interior with the green outdoor spaces. 164 square metres of solar cells are seamlessly integrated into the roof, generating and restoring renewable energy for the building. From the outside, glimpses of the warm wooden interior create an inner glow which contributes to a welcoming atmosphere. The loadbearing glulam structure is a readable feature in the façade through deep slats, which offer protection from solar gain and contribute to water drainage.
Warmth and homeliness permeate the interior spaces by the exposed plywood cladding on walls and ceiling – some perforated for acoustic regulations – chosen for its natural ability to breathe, provide comfort, enhance indoor quality, and reduce stress. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed into an open atrium, shaped by the striking loadbearing structure consisting of 15-metre high three-hinged glulam arches. Known as the Heart Room, this central communal space connects to the building’s circulatory system and binds the various functions together. From here, there is access to classrooms, areas for physical training, consultation rooms, open meeting spaces, and a kitchen designed for healthy cooking workshops. A large wooden staircase with integrated seating forms a central meeting space within the Heart Room, where people can gather, interact, and engage in spontaneous, impromptu activities and social encounters. The interior spaces are illuminated by a gentle natural light influx from the large windows in the façades and roof which continuously offer new impressions throughout the day.
The design of Centre for Health has evolved through an inclusive and collaborative process involving future users, employees, and central administration. This participatory approach has allowed an in-depth exploration of functions, spatial qualities, and materials that respond to specific needs and enhance rehabilitation. The spatial layout serves as an active tool to support movement, interaction and a sense of community, ultimately encouraging long-term changes. By prioritising greenery, plenty of natural light, physical activity, and opportunities for social connection, the building becomes an inviting and soothing environment. It gently nudges and empowers individuals towards a healthier lifestyle, offering a dignified alternative to the often impersonal and clinical atmosphere of traditional healthcare institutions.
Source: Dorte Mandrup
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