The New Karolinska Solna (NKS) Hospital, a 3.5 million-square-foot, multi-building facility located in Solna, Sweden is now under construction. Upon its completion in 2016, it will make a strong case for the title of most environmentally friendly university hospital in the world.
Designed in a joint venture between White Architects and Tengbom Architects (both of Sweden), and built under a unique public-private partnership led by the developer Skanska, the NKS will be an ultra-modern hospital with 600 inpatient beds (including 125 ICU beds), 100 outpatient beds, 36 operating rooms and eight radiation bunkers. The finished complex will encompass the main hospital building, research building, a technology building, a 100-bed patient hotel and a new parking area.
The facility is designed to meet demands of healthcare and research for up to 100 years, with buildings planned so they can be durable and flexible when it comes to incorporating new advances in technology. Based on the slogan “the patient first,” the facility will incorporate evidence-based design, operational efficiency, safety and sustainability in all facets of its design.
Designers are aiming for the Gold level of the Swedish sustainability certification system, Miljoklassad Byggnad, as well as a minimum certification of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold. Officials say that NKS intends to have as close to a zero-impact rating as reasonably possible, even when backup power generators are included.
The estimated energy requirements for the hospital will be half the amount of power a hospital of NKS’ size normally uses. At least 98 percent of energy needs will come from renewable sources with low carbon dioxide emissions. Advanced lighting control systems, based on daylight coming into the building, will save energy, as will an advanced ventilation system designed to enhance air quality. Public transportation for NKS will be primarily supplied by renewable fuels, while pedestrian and bicycle paths will optimize no-carbon footprint options for people transport.
For more information, visit www.nyakarolinskasolna.se/en/