The eleven tower cranes visible from all over Stockholm and Solna are a clear
indication that construction is in full swing at the New Karolinska Solna university hospital. A parking garage was the first building to be completed and phases 1 and 2 of the hospital buildings are coming up. Swedish rock artist Lars Winnerbäck is even using the cranes in the backdrop film for his summer tour. Thousands of visitors from all over the world are learning about the university hospital in the new showroom. And international artists are letting loose their creativity as part of the extensive decoration competition. New Karolinska Solna is one of the most extensive projects ever undertaken by Stockholm County Council. A brand new university hospital is being created to meet future demands for specialized and highly specialized healthcare.
Everything you want to know about NKS
The New Karolinska Solna university hospital will begin receiving patients in 2016, but today you can have a sneak preview of what future world-class healthcare will be like. In the new showroom, the world's largest PPP hospital is presented through still and moving images as well as interactive media. The showroom is open to the public, and guided tours are offered to students, organizations and companies.
"We've already had a considerable number of visitors from across the world," says Annika Svensson, spokespersonfor the project.
The New Karolinska Solna university hospital is Skanska's largest project to date. The total contract, including maintenance operations, amounts to SEK 27 billion (USD 3.84 billion). The construction project amounts to SEK 14.5 billion (USD 2.06 billion).
Art for heart's sake
The New Karolinska Solna university hospital (NKS) already beats most building projects in terms of size, "greenness" and PPP. Now, NKS is also the single largest public art project ever to have been launched in Sweden. A total of SEK 118 million (USD 16.79 million) will be earmarked for artistic design features.
Artists are invited to compete and present their ideas for selection by the Stockholm County Council, which traditionally emphasizes investment in art for their hospital settings.
The artistic décor of NKS will create a visually attractive environment, with enhanced building interiors and exteriors. It will include art as fixtures, art that is integrated into buildings, and movable artwork, such as paintings, design objects and small sculptures. Studies have shown art to contribute to rehabilitative processes.
Play it again, Georg!
Soft piano music fills the lunch restaurant at the Karolinska hospital in Solna. It is Georg Berg, age 90, who has been delighting patronswith his performances every Friday for the past few years. But his relationship with Karolinska dates back to the 1930s, when the hospital was built.
"My father was the property manager for the city of Solna, and I used to help him test the functions in various facilities," says Berg, who is happy about the new hospital and wishes Skanska the best of luck in the construction of the New Karolinska Solna university hospital.