Finalists Named for New Copenhagen Hospital Design Competition

HOUSTON, Texas — The consortium of WHR Architects Europe, KHR Architects A/S and Arup Denmark was selected for the shortlist of three firms for the second phase of the design competition for the new Bispebjerg Hospital. The 758,855-square-foot somatic hospital is to be built on the existing Bispebjerg Hospital campus in Copenhagen bringing together Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals.

Jury members cited the finalists’ abilities to achieve the delicate balance between designing a modern hospital with optimum functionality and while preserving the historic legacy of the 100-year old Bispebjerg hospital campus. The WHR + KHR + Arup submission meets zoning requirements for a brick-clad pavilion with clear references to the historic facility, puts a priority on access to daylight and opens up the hospital to views of nature.

Inspired by the Danish healthcare system’s initiatives, WHR made a commitment to establish a presence in Denmark. Since that time the firm has begun work on the Bispebjerg New Hospital and New Psychiatry Laboratory and Logistics Building, which brings together 150,694 square feet of clinical and research laboratory spaces under one roof. For that project WHR is teamed with Mikkelsen Arkitekter and Arup.

“Denmark’s commitment to create a more effective patient care model has been invaluable to our work on the New Bispebjerg Hospital — we understand and embrace their vision and goals,” said Anthony Haas, FAIA, WHR’s principal-in charge. “In addition, WHR’s current experience on the ‘Bispebjerg Bakke’ site helped our team create a new architecture that honors the historic nature of the existing buildings and landscape.”

The WHR + KHR + Arup consortium brings together different perspectives with a wide range and depth of experience: a prominent Danish design firm with a clear Nordic sensibility in design, a leading U.S. healthcare planning and design practice that have made a serious commitment to the local market and an international engineering powerhouse in Arup.

“We look forward to continuing our collaborations with the finest healthcare designers and engineers across the globe,” said David Watkins, FAIA, founding principal of WHR Architects and healthcare sector leader for EYP. WHR recently merged with EYP, a recognized leader in the design of facilities for higher education and government.

Other shortlisted firms include C.F. Møller and COWI. A winner will be selected at the end of summer 2015.