Integrated psychiatric centre at the Skejby Super Hospital

The project is based on the knowledge of the planned building structure of Skejby Hospital, which is arranged like a city with a hierarchy of districts, streets, open spaces and squares. One of the overall objectives was for the new psychiatric hospital to become a natural part of the hospital city and the surrounding landscape. The psychiatric hospital has a psychiatric department for children and a psychiatric department for adults with outpatient clinics and inpatient units with a total area of 40,000 m², and a detached centre for forensic psychiatry covering approx. 10,000 m².

Psychiatry in Aarhus has a long and proud history of integrating art as a healing element of the treatment. In fact, there is a fine arts collection which belongs to the psychiatric care services of Aarhus. In order to make this collection identifiable and also create different, homely as well as unique settings for the patients, Danish contemporary artist Tal R produced an entirely unique art project involving exhibition furniture and showcasing patients' artworks. A universe entirely in pink where the artists and the architect selected 21 shades of pink. The art project clearly marks where the public area and common areas start and where people can sit down and relax. In this pink universe, it is easy to forget where you are, it is cosy here and there is an almost homely atmosphere. The area functions both as a waiting and a dining area.

The project was developed in a PPP team in close dialogue with the clients, and furthermore based on extensive user processes and involvement of patient associations.