lkh knittelfeld

the extension is grouped to the north side of the horizontal existing building in a park in the center of the city. to gently add the extension to the existing structure, the building volume is lowered by one story into the terrain. sloped meadow surfaces lead down to the lowest level of the building, creating a quiet green space in front of the patient rooms.

starting from the newly organized entrance hall in the existing building, a glazed bridge connects it with the new building. this is only set back from the existing structure as far as is necessary to ensure efficient circulation.

the internal concept and the external form of the developed building volume are derived from its northern orientation and the surrounding park:
the façade of the new building tilts away from the existing one at an angle of 18°. the resulting funnel-shaped light courtyard is further enlarged by six full-depth recesses on the first and second floors. these tree-planted cuts structure the functional zone of the new building, in reference to the developed section of the park.

the building volume opens in cross-section at its center. along the sloped north wall, direct sunlight falls into the corridor areas of both upper floors through skylight bands and floor glazing. the sloped, white-painted walls in the service zones reflect and diffuse the incoming daylight. the patient bathrooms on the north side are also supplied with natural brightness through skylight glazing. even under overcast skies, the entire 21-meter-deep building remains bright and friendly.

the patient rooms facing north are glazed across the full room width but remain free from direct sunlight. this allows a generous view of the surrounding landscape from the hospital bed