New Karolinska Solna: Sweden's sustainable advanced hospital

New Karolinska Solna

In terms of technological advances, medical research and even sustainable design, Sweden is aiming to make the world's most advanced hospital in Solna - New Karolinska Solna.

The Karolinska Solna University Hospital (or New Karolinska Solna (NKS) won't just be a pinnacle of scientific and medical achievement, but the architects and designers have ensured that the building is environmentally friendly and sustainable, even aiming for a LEED Gold certification.

The hospital is also a ground-breaker by being the first project in health and medical care in Sweden to be conducted as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The building is being developed by a consortium consisting of Swedish firm Skanska and UK investment fund Innisfree, and will also be the world's largest PPP hospital.

Under the agreement of the deal, Skanska and Innisfree will be responsible for financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the new hospital until 2040. The construction contract amounts to approximately US$1.8 billion and Skanska is investing US$84.7 million.

It is not Skanska's first dabble in the healthcare industry, having years of experience of hospital construction in the Nordic region, the UK and the US As such, they will be of significant importance in the work on the New Karolinska Solna.

Hi-tech care

Designed by Tengbom Architects, the new hospital will "place a strong focus on the patient, and the design is based on research to reduce the spread of infection and promote rapid recovery," however it is the use of sustainable materials and green design that has caught the eye of EU Infrastructure.

As one would expect in a building going for LEED Gold status, one of the main aspects of the hospital's design has been energy efficiency, with architects hoping to half the amount of power that a hospital of the NKS's size usually uses. Systems like advanced lighting controls based on daylight coming into the building will aim to save energy as will a controlled ventilation system to enhance air quality.

Material-wise, construction will use recyclable components based on renewable sources and attempt to be carbon neutral where possible. Designed to stand for up to 100 years, the building has been planned so it can be both durable and flexible when it comes to incorporating new advances in technology. The hope is that doctors, patients and technicians in the US and internationally who are looking to benefit from the latest technology and advances in health science will come to Stockholm and the new hospital making it a global hub for medical innovation.

Construction work is expected to commence in the summer and the first patients are scheduled to be received in December 2015.

Relevant articles:

LEED buildings: Not as green as they claim? | The need for sustainable building design | Green buildings

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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