Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CONCEPT:
Thematic architecture Every element of the architecture, interiors and
landscape is carefully chosen to be thematic. So, even the gardens
around and the colours used for the landscaping are all specially cho-
sen for their spiritual compatibility and for enhancing inner harmony and
MASTER PLAN
peace, we are informed.
CASE STUDY:
FOYER: MATERIALS:
The foyer is a beautifully the priority has been
Vejle proportioned room with high
ceilings and an informal at-
to use quality materi-
als that interact well
Psychiatric mosphere. The organically with one another. Pale
Hospital shaped walls and informa-
tion desk are clad with pale
brick, untreated wood
strips, grey Troldtekt
wooden strips. From the ceil- acoustic panels and
ing hangs a large and modern red linoleum floors
INTRODUCTION: chandelier. create a delightful
In February 2017 a new psychiatric hospital opened in the Danish city of cocktail of impres-
Vejle. Since opening, the hospital has registered a 50 percent decrease COURTYARDS: sions that appeals to
in physical restraint and it is widely acknowledged for its healing architec- At every point there are views
the senses.
ture. This was underlined in mid-June when the hospital won the Mental of the inner courtyard, which
is perfect for taking time out LIGHTING:
Health Design category at the European Healthcare Design Awards 2018 To ensure lights heal-
in competition with mental health buildings from all over the world. in secure surroundings. The
strong connection between ing effect on patients
the inside and outside also the architects have
location: climate: Vejle has designed with a spe-
means there is a good and
a moderate maritime cial focus on both
interesting play of daylight.
climate influenced by natural and artificial
All six wards overlook glass-
the sea light. Glass panels
walled, enclosed courtyards.
TOPOGRAPHY: and interior courtyards
Denmark is not LANDSCAPE: bring ample daylight
known for its moun- Surrounded by green, “the into the building. With-
tain landscape, and landscape is drawn complete- drawn ceilings and
for good reason. With ly between the buildings and interior glass help light
an average height of into the attractive courtyards extend even further
about 31 meters or through the building.
DENMARK VEJLE
101 feet above sea TRANSITIONS:
level. the The architecture is char- inference:
The building is located in the beautiful Vejle
acterised by smooth transi- The architect stress the importance of offering psychiatric patients the right
Ådal and the picturesque landscape is an im- BUILT UP AREA:
tions between the private and balance between peace and quiet, a sense of community and freedom.
portant element in the architectural design. 17,400 m2
the communal spheres. The idea behind the transparent architecture and the tranquil spatial layout
architects: Arkitema Architects,The color scheme and art SPORTS HALL: is to minimise the use of physical restraint.
direction are directed by artist Signe Guttormsen. A very beautiful sports hall is The patients can walk out into the courtyards without being accompanied
just one of many outstanding by a member of staff. This gives them a greater sense of freedom and
FACILITIES: Awards: facilities control over their own lives.
• GYM
• children’s ambulatory
The Psychiatric Hospital in Vejle PLANNING
was praised as Highly Commended
• psychiatric ER (2nd place) in the Healthcare cat- PRINCIPLES:
• psychiatric ECT egory at the WAN Awards 2018. The psychiatric hospital comprises a clus-
ter of eight buildings based on a circular
• play area
European Healthcare Design 2018 flow that includes the administrative and
• central courtyards Award in the category Mental staff functions. This ingenious combina-
• dinning Health Design tion of hospital buildings and the function-
al and administrative unit form a closed
CONCEPT: ring that ensures an open and transpar-
The A primary design focus has been on a visionary healthcare design ent psychiatric hospital. In the layout ex-
which encourages physical activity and minimalizes forceful interven- troverted functions such as ER reception
tion. the focus was to create the best possible surroundings for patients and children’s psychiatry are located as
as well as employees.This is done by transparency, the intelligent use of inviting units upon arrival, while wards are
light and easy access to safe courtyards. withdrawn within the building. The en-
CLOSED RING: closed First-floor links administration and
The “closed ring” concept brings together all the functions of the hospital, discreet patient transport in a ring struc-
ensuring an open and transparent building. From the foyer, the visitors ture which expresses a spatial division
can head off in multiple directions. and forms a clear hierarchical façade. SITE-PLAN GROUND FLOOR PLAN FIRST FLOOR PLAN
CASE STUDY:
NORONHA GARDEN:
Dr. Frank Xavier Noronha
NIMHANS: became the first superinten-
NATIONAL INSTITUTE dent of the Mental Hospital.
At this time (in 1936), Sir
OF MENTAL HEALTH Mirza Ismail held the cov-
AND NEURO SCIENCE eted position of the Dewan
of Mysore.Both Sir Ismail
and Dr. Noronha were keen
INTRODUCTION: gardeners and avid horticul-
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) turists. Their common pas-
is a multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic pursuit in the sion for well-designed public
field of mental health and neurosciences. spaces led to the formation
The Department of Psychiatry of National Institute of Mental Health And of a new structure for the
Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, which formally began in the Mental Hospital encompass-
mid-1950,’s, owes its origins to a historical process that began more than ing vibrant gardens replete
a century and a half ago. in the 1930’s a new campus was built to house with lush landscapes and
the mentally ill in salubrious surroundings away from the din and bustle open spaces. The duo per-
of the city. The open atmosphere, lack of restraint and the excellent help sonally planted many of the
provided by the staff soon became well known The buildings themselves exotic tree species that can
are in marked contrast to most Asylums in India. still be seen on the campus.
location:
climate: tropical savanna climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Due to its high elevation.
TOPOGRAPHY:undualating terrain,because of its location in platue
region.
VEGETATION: dry deciduous forest-type.
SITE AREA: 11.2 acres approx (psychiatry dept)
FACILITIES:
• PSYCHIATRY OPD • ARTS THEATRE
• GENERAL WARD • NORONHA GARDEN
• GENERAL WARD-WOMEN • YOGA HALL
• SPECIAL WARD A,B&C • TEMPLE
• ASYLUM • REHABILITATION DEPT
• COTTAGES • OFFICE
CONCEPT:
It was considered essential that the spaces in an asylum provide an envi-
ronment conducive for recovery, and this principle lay at the root of asy-
lum design, where “where one could be both mad and safe”.
planning principles:
The new building itself was loosely based on the plans of the Institute of
Psychiatry building, which was then housed at the Bethlem hospital site
in Moorfields (United Kingdom). this building was designed with the ex-
plicit purpose of providing a healing environment, and with all the neces-
sary modern attributes.
MATERIALS:
The older strutctures are built using stone masonry and wood, the newer
structures are made of brick masonry,
ACTIVITY:
Apart from visiting pyramid,major activities at the Pyramid Valley include
seminars, workshops and annual conferences. Meditational classes and
spiritual talks dot the events calendar at Pyramid Valley.
inference:
The features of the site and surroundings are used very well, The struc-
tures at Pyramid valley International are simple, plain, what stands out is
the aesthetic value of this simplicity.
open courtyard