Glasblokkene, Haukeland University Hospital

Situated on Bergen’s hillside, Glasblokkene steps down from the mountain toward the city, weaving light, nature and care into a continuous whole. Locally sourced stone grounds the transparent volumes, creating a warm, tactile environment, ensuring a human scale, where architecture and landscape merge in a healing setting. The design fosters play, activity and joy as part of holistic health, with bespoke furniture, natural materials and family-friendly spaces. An ‘Energy Centre’ with therapy pools and treatment rooms extends the hospital’s benefits to the wider community.

Built on a steep, narrow site between mountain and city, the hospital turns topographic challenges into architectural quality, adapting gracefully to the landscape. Slender glass ‘piano keys’ draw daylight, views and greenery deep inside, ensuring a connection with nature on every floor. The design expanded to accommodate nearly twice the original programme, while maintaining the concept, creating a humane scale and clear orientation across complex clinical functions. Integrating mental health, somatic care and physical activity, it fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and equality. Developed through continuous dialogue with clinicians, patients and families, the architecture balances advanced technology with empathy, reorganizing workflows around the patient for optimal healing. Democratic design ensures the best views are shared—by patients, relatives and staff alike. Healing gardens, native vegetation and sensory art turn everyday routines into moments of play, wonder and calm.

Glass and natural stone create a durable, low-maintenance skin suited to Bergen’s harsh, wet climate. Reflective glass enhances daylight between and within buildings, while slate anchors the base, half-embedded in the mountainside. A robust and flexible structure supports future reconfiguration as healthcare practices evolve. Built to Passive House standards with low-carbon concrete, solar panels and energy wells, it achieves high environmental performance and low life-cycle cost. A pioneering digital twin connects all systems for transparent, resource-efficient management and ensures the hospital can easily adapt to operational or future changes. Locally sourced materials, robust details and natural finishes create a tactile, human environment. The hospital’s location in a well-connected urban area encourages public transport and cycling, reducing traffic and emissions. Despite exceptional quality standards, Glasblokkene remains among Norway’s most cost-effective hospitals per m2.