With a natural feel

The distinctive red colour of the Danish Cancer Society’s logo stands out against the blue-green building in the background, which in turn is clearly distinguishable from the hospital next door.

Aarhus University Hospital has completed its relocation to Skejby on the outskirts of Aarhus, including the oncology department. The Danish Cancer Society has therefore also moved to a new and purpose-built facility. The architect Claus Pryds was inspired by the rural setting and the traditional layout of Danish farms, hence the corrugated metal roof.

From the entrance, the building opens up, and visitors can enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside outside, with traditional farm buildings in the distance. The vaulted ceilings incorporate several skylights for a fantastic feeling of spaciousness. The windows embrace the horizon in the distance, accentuated by a strip above the tongue-and-groove wall cladding to separate the wall surfaces and the angled ceiling shapes.

Harmonious spaces and materials                               

The centre offers professional counselling for cancer patients, who are also welcome to sit down and enjoy the building and the surroundings over a cup of coffee. The centre also organises support groups and networking, training such as yoga and, not least, social get-togethers.

The multiple functions, which also include staff facilities, are distributed between the different wings, with spectacular views of the scenery as a unifying element. Colours and materials have been carefully coordinated to create calm and homely interiors. Troldtekt natural wood is installed on all the ceilings and on all the wall surfaces above door height, ensuring optimum acoustics in a building where a sense of presence and peace of mind are paramount. The sculptural ceilings are constantly changing character depending on the daylight. Troldtekt acoustic panels with a square edge create cohesive, calm ceilings that naturally direct the focus to the landscape outside.