Patient Hotel and Administration

Copenhagen’s Rigshospitalet, Denmark’s leading hospital, recently inaugurated its new Patient Hotel and Administrative Building, designed by 3XN Architects. 3XN designed the 7,400m2 building as an open, supportive and comfortable environment for patients, as well as an efficient work environment for the hospital’s administrative staff. The Patient Hotel offers 74 rooms on the three lower floors, while administrative offices comprise floors four to six.

The building appears as two stacked, juxtaposed ‘Vs’. This form establishes a clear visual separation between the two programmatic functions: patient hotel and hospital administration. The facade appears as a horizontal relief clad with light natural stone, which adds a strong character to the building while also allowing it to shade itself. Two sky lit atria bring natural light deep into the building and function as arrival areas and gathering places for the Patient Hotel. Open staircases in both atria connect the individual floors.

“We designed the building with these open atria to offer good visual contact, instead of the closed corridors usually associated with hospitals,” said Kim Herforth Nielsen, 3XN Creative Director and Founder. “In addition, we ensured that ample daylight and warm materials and colors create a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere, which serves as a comforting environment during a difficult period.”

All hotel rooms (approximately 20 m2 each) have a private balcony facing the adjacent park and the surrounding buildings. The hotel restaurant faces ‘Amor Park,’ offering guests and visitors the opportunity to enjoy their meals with views of the green surroundings as well.

What is a Patient Hotel? A patient hotel is an attractive alternative for self-sufficient patients who live far away and who need accommodation in connection to examination and treatment. The patient hotel offers tranquility, the opportunity to organize the day as you wish and to have some privacy or use public areas. For patients undergoing long-term treatment, the hotel can be a welcome break outside the clinical hospital environment.

The Rigshospitalet Patient Hotel has a reception desk, staffed by nurses, as well as hotel assistants and a nutrition assistant.

Administration Area – The hospital's administrative staff will enjoy two roof terraces, one located on the fourth floor and the other on the top floor and extended by a green roof where employees can relax during their breaks. The top floor also contains meeting rooms and a flex space available for events and special meetings.

A New Sculptural Parking Garage – With its distinctive façade and lighting, a new parking garage is a vibrant sculptural addition to the Rigshospitalet compound. Situated on the border between one of Copenhagen’s biggest recreational parks, Fælledparken, and the hospital, 3XN designed the new garage as an interesting element for patients, staff and passersby.

The façade of consists of twisted aluminum lamellas that establish a vivid expression. Inspired by its location next to Fælledparken, the twisting lamellas reference the organic structure of the trees. The project features pre-programmed exterior LED lighting, which creates different moods throughout the day and the seasons.

An Expanded Hospital – The Patient Hotel & Administration Building and parking garage are part of the new Rigshospitalet project, which will also include a new a new treatment building, ‘The North Wing’, scheduled for completion in 2018.