aarhus Designs Revolutionary Proton Therapy Center for Denmark

Courtesy of aarhus architects

Danish practice aarhus architects has won a competition to design the new Proton Therapy Centre for advanced cancer treatment in Aarhus, Denmark. As “the most advanced radiation center to date and the only one of its kind in Denmark,” as well as one of only a few in the world, the Centre will undoubtedly become a pioneer in cancer treatment.

Designed from the inside out, the building’s façades are meant to convey the function of the interior, “and tell the story of precision, which is they key component of proton therapy as a form of treatment,” according to the architects. Thus, the atrium of the building becomes central to its orientation, providing not only an axis, but also a source of natural lighting.

Combining textural, warm materials and green hanging gardens, the atrium further “ensures an accommodating, yet professional health care environment.” Various other design elements like an atop lantern, concrete forms, and a perforated steel façade add similar character to the structure, also serving as markers for important parts of the building.

Overall, the Centre will be composed of 14,000 cubic meters of concrete, stretching 70 meters long and three stories tall, with walls up to four meters thick.

As director of the health department at aarhus architects, Mette Dan Weibel, explains, “we have succeeded in including healing architecture in a building where the focus is largely on patient and staff safety and efficient workflow. It is crucial for us, the users, [to] experience the Centre as a nice place to be.”