Timber design with therapeutic effect
Copenhagen is fighting the rise in lifestyle diseases with a holistic approach. Its Centre for Health, designed by star architect Dorte Mandrup, is one of the city’s new facilities in this area. Spectacular timber architecture allows the building to contribute its own positive impact on human health.
Unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, stress. The resulting lifestyle diseases typical of the western world – such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes – still don’t receive the attention they deserve, the World Health Organization warned in its 2025 European Health Report. This is the case even though these diseases are responsible for 90 percent of deaths and are a major burden on health systems. Preventative measures are urgently necessary to counteract this problem. Recently, the Danish capital Copenhagen took a firm step in the right direction. In early 2025, Denmark’s first Centre for Health opened at the heart of vibrant urban neighbourhood Nørrebro. This institution specializes in prevention and rehabilitation in connection with diabetes and heart disease.
The Centre for Health boasts a high intake capacity of around 2,500 patients. And as an added benefit, renowned Danish architect Dorte Mandrup designed this curving timber structure to have its own positive effect on the health of its visitors.
Wood creates healthy interiors
During the design process, the planning team took a close look at how architecture can boost our health. One key motivation behind choosing wood to build the structure will have been the beneficial effect of this natural building material on human health, as evidenced in numerous studies.
According to the project description: “Warmth and homeliness permeate the interior spaces by the exposed plywood cladding on walls and ceiling, chosen for its natural ability to breathe. It provides comfort, enhances indoor quality and reduces stress.” Some of the wooden panels are perforated to improve the acoustics.
Good circulation in the Heart Room
The open atrium that greets visitors to this health institution has a ceremonious quality frequently experienced in prestigious cultural buildings.
The wood was chosen for its natural ability to breathe. It provides comfort, enhances indoor quality and reduces stress.
Dorte Mandrup, architectural studio
Here, the construction method is clearly visible in the striking loadbearing structure of this three-storey timber building. A glulam mass-timber frame defines its shape, soaring up 15 metres high to create a free-span space underneath.
The ceiling has a regular structure and integrates a distinct touch of shipbuilding design. Walkways for the first and second floors are suspended from the ceiling using contrasting, black metal struts. Open staircases were chosen deliberately to keep patients moving about. In other words, the routes through the Centre have a therapeutic function as well.
All the walkways converge in this central atrium, which encourages people to meet up and walk around the building. As this is essentially similar to the main organ in the human circulatory system, the atrium is also referred to as the Heart Room. From here, patients can access the teaching rooms, training areas, meeting room and kitchen for workshops on healthy cooking.
Architecture creates a sense of belonging
This outstanding architecture is a conscious attempt to adopt a different method from the frequently impersonal and sterile environments found in conventional hospitals. The aim is to achieve a friendly and attractive place where people like to go. Consequently, the architecture needs to create an uplifting feeling and a sense of belonging by means of its attractive qualities.
Having this sense of belonging and togetherness is a crucial part of making treatment more accessible, engaging and supportive, and thus encourage long-term changes.
Dorte Mandrup, architect
“An important consideration has been to ensure room for interaction and community. Having this sense of belonging and togetherness is a crucial part of making treatment more accessible, engaging and supportive, and thus encourage long-term changes,” says Dorte Mandrup, founder of the eponymous architectural studio in Denmark.
Aware of carbon footprint
As this building is situated in Copenhagen, it naturally needed to be good for the environment as well.
This Danish metropolis is the world’s first city to have nearly achieved climate neutrality. One major factor on the path to decarbonization is a mandatory declaration of the carbon footprint for each construction project in the city.
Therefore, any new building here predominantly uses climate-friendly building materials. This was also true of the Centre for Health, as clarified by the city authorities Byggeri København, building contractor of the new health centre: “To reduce the carbon emissions, large parts of the building were constructed with timber.”
Text: Gertraud Gerst
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Photos: Adam Mørk