{"id":22055,"date":"2025-12-01T10:24:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/?p=22055"},"modified":"2025-12-01T10:48:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:48:57","slug":"glass-blocks-win-bergen-architecture-and-urban-design-award-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/glasblokkene-vinder-bergens-arkitektur-og-byformingspris-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Glasblokkene win Bergen's Architecture and Urban Design Award 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Read the jury's full report here (translated from Norwegian):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bergen Municipality Architecture and Urban Design Award is, as the name suggests, an award that not only assesses projects individually as architectural works, but also looks at how the surroundings can be given new qualities through a holistic solution of function, form, spatial relationships, terrain adaptation and use of materials. This means that architecture is not only considered as individual works, but as a tool for creating good qualities for users and residents, adding value and character to the place and using architecture actively in the development of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aesthetics and functionality are key criteria, but the Council has also emphasised the extent to which the project \u201cbreaks its own mould\u201d and has an impact beyond its intended function, as well as the added value it brings to the area. The Council believes that place-making should be an important component of any building project. Such qualities can be aesthetic touches, elements that clarify the landscape context of the project, or solutions that create space for important societal functions that benefit the city. Such an approach strengthens the identity of the place, increases understanding and provides strong experiential qualities. This mindset requires in-depth knowledge of the local context, and the Council believes that projects with this type of ambition should be highlighted as examples to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council believes that this year's award winner scores highly on all these criteria. The project represents a very successful approach to the landscape and topography of the site in the way the building is designed and positioned. It also scores highly for addressing today's climate challenges through the extensive use of renewable energy sources, while addressing social and societal challenges in an exemplary way. The project brings new architectural qualities and expression to a city in constant development and renewal. With a holistic idea and a conscious approach, a model has been created for the development of new architecture that provides both added value and security for those who use the building and those who work in it on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Bergen<\/a>
On the far left is the Secretary of the Council for Urban Design and Architecture, \u00c5ge Vallestad, who presented the award on behalf of Bergen Municipality. To his right are Helge Bergmann (project manager for client Helse Bergen), our project architect Caroline Tjern\u00e5s (KHR Architecture), Mari Holden Nicolaysen (Henning Larsen Architects AS) and Nina Kielland (PKA arkitekter).
Photo: Maja Ved\u00e5<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Council for Urban Design and Architecture has therefore selected Haukeland Hospital for Children, Youth and Women Phase 2 as the winner of the Architecture and Urban Design Award 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jury has chosen to award the prize to this stage of construction because of the project's ambitious commitment to innovative and inclusive architecture in healthcare buildings. The project represents a very impressive realisation of the main architectural approach, which has been consistent all the way from the planning and design competition through the local plan phase to the finished building. The approach is based on the unique location on a slope north of the central building, where the building is divided into lighter volumes that step down through the terrain and are integrated into the landscape. Nature is skilfully drawn into all levels of the building. You can stand at the entrance and look down through the gardens and spaces below you, while also looking up towards the mountains behind the building. In this way, the large and complex building is broken down to create unique experiential qualities, has its own identity and relates well to the dramatic Westland topography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The choice of glass as a building material was deliberate as it is not affected by the wet and harsh climate of the West Country. In phase 1, challenges were experienced with the glass facades appearing too exposed and shielding was difficult. Stage 2 has learnt from this and added an improved solution with three layers of screening: external blinds and light and blackout curtains on the inside to shield against both sun and visibility. The project also demonstrates a willingness to learn and improve. The use of wood in the common areas at the arrival area gives the spaces character and warmth, breaks down the scale and creates a sense of security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is exemplary in terms of sustainability and green values and achieves energy label dark green A with an energy consumption of 115 kWh\/m\u00b2\/year. 90 energy wells have been drilled in phase 1 and 75 in phase 2, each with a depth of 250 metres. Enova has supported the project with 39 MNOK for research and development of transparent solar cells with 40 % transparency, which are applied to the south on walkways and technical rooms on the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council hopes that this project can inspire and challenge other developers of large public buildings to think in new, place-based and people-centred ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ambition of the architecture is clearly reflected in the final result. The building is functional, beautiful and durable. We have worked hard to create a friendly and inclusive atmosphere where it is easy to orientate yourself. We have succeeded in creating a good and efficient hospital environment where both children and adults can feel safe and welcomed, both inside and out. The common areas are located at the ends of the louvres, giving them plenty of light and views. The jury also emphasised the fine details with windows in the stairwells and at the ends of the corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Council praises the integrated artistic decoration both inside and out. It is very much aimed at children, with cartoon motifs on the walls and integrated characters in the linoleum floors of the walkways. The Council also emphasises how the design of the building takes into account how children experience the hospital from their eye level, with rooms that follow the terrain downwards and floor-to-ceiling windows. Architecturally, it is a highly accomplished project that combines visual, spatial and sensory qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also important to highlight that the project has had a good process in the early phase, with a project organisation that managed to create a clear and good order, hold a project competition and implement user-involving subcontracts. This has enabled the architects to follow the project closely in the detail phase - something that is unusual at a time when turnkey contracts otherwise dominate. There has been close contact between client and architect throughout, and the project costs are lower than many similar projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some may wonder why the Council chose to give the award to phase 2 when phase 1 already received the award in 2017. This is because the project has managed to continue and develop the concept from phase 1, even with an expanded building programme where an entire maternity ward was added along the way. The architects have managed to accommodate the larger volume without compromising the original ideas and qualities of the project - and have even improved key elements such as the glass facade solution. It's a demanding task that deserves recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haukeland Hospital for Children, Young People and Women phase 2 is therefore a project to follow, with its ambitious commitment to innovative and inclusive hospital architecture. It offers high aesthetic qualities and strong spatial experiences and is an exemplary project that enriches not only the city, but the entire region with a hospital where the patient is at the centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Glasblokkene<\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Glass Blocks - Haukeland Hospital for Children, Young People and Women - has received Bergen Municipality's Architecture and Urban Design Award 2025. The jury emphasises the project's ambitious commitment to innovative and inclusive hospital architecture, where the patient - especially children and young people - is at the centre.<\/p>\n

The award is also given for the holistic approach: The building steps down the slope in smaller volumes, integrates into the terrain and adds new qualities to the surroundings. The jury also praises sustainable solutions, natural light, manageable spaces and integrated art that create a safe and experiential environment. Read the full jury report below.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"Glasblokkene vinder Bergens Arkitektur- og byformingspris 2025","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[92],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-khr-projects"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22055"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22069,"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22055\/revisions\/22069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khr.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}