Children's Department at Ålesund Hospital

Location: Ålesund, Norway Architect & interior designer: C.F. Møller Architects Floor Designer: C.F. Møller Architects/Artist Torhild Berg Building contractor: Hent AS Flooring material: 3230m² Marmoleum Real, Aquajet, 1329m² Linoflex, 610m² Surestep Star, 340m² Smaragd

The intention of the new paediatric unit is to create a house that is not just a traditional hospital building, but a children’s department based on the idea that confidence and trust is essential in any hospital stay and especially essential when children are the patients.

The project was won in 2005 under the motto "Kangaroo", which refers to a principle where the physical closeness between parents and their premature babies is part of the treatment.

The new children's department provides for sick children's different needsfor stimulus from their immediate environment.They require intimacy,a sense of security, and space for play and physical activityin specially designed environments.

In addition to the neonatal ward for infants, the unit contains an outpatient paediatric ward, medical bedward, teaching facilities for school / preschool children and office space.The children's department provides a variety of treatment options for children up to 16 years.

The new wing is constructedas a free-standing building connected to the existing hospital in Ålesund via a colourful footbridge.The building is laid out around a central hall separated into an indoor and an outdoor part. The attractive and light surroundings connect related functions and the building is easily comprehended by patients and visitors.

A recessed generous glass facade to the south opens the building up for views across the nearby fjord,and allows visual contact into the building.The building's primary materials are light plaster, glass and wood. The interior is brightly coloured, featuring integrated artwork on the floors and walls.