Looking back, why was the Psychiatric Hospital in Slagelse such a strong project when it was completed in 2015?

“It was a major step forward for psychiatry in Region Zealand. With its 44,000 square metres and 194 beds, it was – and remains – Denmark’s largest psychiatric construction project in recent times. For the first time, general psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and the high-security unit were brought together under one roof, while also being connected to the somatic hospital.

The message was clear: psychiatry should not be isolated but integrated into the wider healthcare campus and the city itself.  The hospital thus stood not only as an architectural achievement but also as a societal statement – a professional flagship for Region Zealand.”

Healing architecture was a key concept. How was this expressed, and how does it hold up ten years later?

“Healing architecture is about making the environment an active part of treatment. At the Psychiatric Hospital in Slagelse, we worked with green courtyards, abundant daylight, and direct contact with nature as central elements – elements proven to support recovery and create tranquillity. Every patient ward was designed with direct access to outdoor gardens or courtyards. Our ambition was that every indoor space and every function in the building should have a corresponding outdoor space.

Lighting was another crucial focus. We equipped the hospital with intelligent LED systems that mimicking the natural colour shifts of daylight throughout the day. This was groundbreaking at the time. Today, the technology has advanced even further, and now we would be able to personalise light and sound much more for each individual patient. Yet the core principle – that the environment itself can be part of the healing process – remains unchanged."

"I also need to mention the art. Visual artist Malene Landgreen created the colour scheme, while Ursula Andkjær Olsen contributed poetry for the walls. Together, they gave the spaces identity, atmosphere, and a human presence that is still felt today.”

How did user involvement play a role, and what would you do differently today?

“User involvement was central to the creation of the Psychiatric Hospital in Slagelse. A comprehensive process of dialogue with both patients and staff provided insights into everything from daily workflows to patient experiences. These perspectives made it possible to design solutions that function effectively in practice."

For example, it became clear how important access to daylight, air, and nature is – not only for patients but also for staff. It also emphasised the value of clearly separated and legible circulation: distinct patient and staff pathways, as well as separation of acute and calmer functions. Together, these features support orientation, calm, and smoother flows throughout the hospital.

If the project were undertaken today, digital tools would further enhance the process: movement patterns could be simulated, safety tested in 3D, and user feedback analysed more systematically. Yet the underlying principle would remain the same: users must be involved from the very beginning.”

The building houses both general psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and the high-security unit. How did you handle that complexity?

“Yes, the project was highly complex, bringing together a wide range of functions. We addressed this complexity through a “campus concept,” dividing the hospital into clear zones that remain interconnected. You could call it a collection of clusters with patient wards around quiet gardens, linked by shared facilities such as activity rooms, training facilities, and a swimming pool. And then there is a central knowledge centre with research, teaching facilities, an auditorium, and canteen. This layout established a logical flow that provides both clarity and flexibility."

"In retrospect, this proved to be a robust solution. A decade later, the complexity of psychiatric care has only increased. Treatment methods are developing rapidly, and we now face a reality where hospitals must also be increasingly digital. Smart technology, data, and flexible systems have become an integral part of healthcare.

The experience from Slagelse, however, shows that robustness pays off. Even after ten years, the project functions effectively, showing how flexibility and quality can deliver long-lasting solutions. Generous spatial standards have also played a key role, enabling large, well-proportioned wards and rooms. This capacity for adaptation has provided the resilience to accommodate new needs as they arise.

With these experiences, we can now work even more deliberately with flexibility and robustness – from room programming to technical installations. The aim is to create hospitals that not only absorb change but actively support the development of new treatment methods and digital patient solutions. In this way, the hospital of the future can be both flexible and sustainable, equipped to meet the health challenges of the decades ahead.”

How did you find the balance between openness and security?

“Balancing openness and security is one of the central challenges in psychiatric design. Patients must feel safe without feeling imprisoned. At Slagelse, this was achieved through transparency and access to outdoor areas. All patients can go outside, and the park surrounding the hospital is open to the public. This creates a sense of freedom and ties the hospital to the local community.

At the same time, safety was integrated into the design in every detail. It was important with controlled access, good visibility, and secure escape routes. This means the staff can work in confidence, while patients experience safety to be present without being overwhelming.

Today, more advanced technologies could supplement this – from digital access systems to intelligent alarms and sensors. But the balance between openness and safety remains the same challenge, and it still holds its strength.”

Looking back, which lessons stand out most clearly, and what can we take into future hospital design?

“There are three things standing out to me when I look back on the Psychiatric Hospital in Slagelse. First, overall planning is absolutely crucial: bringing functions together creates better patient pathways and more efficient operations. Second, architecture is more than a physical frame – it can serve as a treatment tool in its own right. Light, nature, and openness are not just decorative extras, they are part of the healing process. And third, collaboration and user involvement are indispensable. Psychiatry requires spaces that are both specialised and flexible, and this can only be achieved by listening to those who use the building daily."

"Looking forward, there are also new agendas to be aware of. Flexibility and resilience have become central – hospitals must be able to handle rapid technological change and new treatment methods without having to start over each time. Increasingly, care will be experienced digitally as well as physically, supported by smart buildings, AI-driven operations, and personalised patient solutions. But the foundation – healing architecture, holistic planning, and user involvement – will still be the key to successful hospital design.”