Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The landscape of the area is very characteristic with it`s terraced levels rising towards the mountains. The shape of the clinic is based on this landscape formation, following the horizontal direction of the levels. This results in a long-stretched building with all functions on one floor.

The back wall is a solid construction based in the ground, standing strong to protect the building against landslides and floods, and as the spine of the building if an earthquake hits. It is made of a steel construction with a mesh of steel filled with rocks from the local area. Through an earthquake the construction will stand strong but still be elastic. If there is a flood, the water will filtrate through the stones into a draining system in the ground. On the inside there is a thin covering to prevent water from coming in. The top of the wall is open and provides for natural ventilation and light.

The area connected with the wall is the internal area for the employees at the health- and community centre , with service functions, storage, meeting room etc.

The rooms with functions for patients and visitors are in the boxes that are connected to the internal area: the consulting rooms, the tele-medicine operation room and the library. The boxes har two accesses, one from the private zone and one from the public zone. The colorful boxes stand out as separate objects against the natural, massive wall in the back. The walls are made out of a light construction, based on local materials and building techniques, and painted.

The internal area for employees between the back wall and the boxes is enclosed with polycarbonate with different grades of transparency. The area is closed off for visitors and patients, but appear as an visual “in-between” space. Light will be brought into the roof window of the boxes through the transparent wall.

Columns are placed out in a grid with a repetition of 3 x 2-3-2 m. The columns support the roof beams and the walls of the boxes. This construction is made out of wood, which has the best seismic resistance. The roof is made out of corrugated steel, while the boxes have ceilings to provide insulation and to define it`s shape further.

The floor of the building is made out of concrete, and is at the same level as the ground.

The space outside the boxes is covered by the roof and with screens of branches towards the valley. These screens provide shade and help define space. Some can be fixed, others flexible.

The building can easily expand in both directions, by continue the back wall and adding more boxes.