ARTWORKS


The postive impact of building-integrated art


Drawing on two recent Scandinavian mental healthcare projects where art has played a key role, Stence Guldager, Architect MAA, Business Area Manager, and Associated partner at Arkitema, argues that early selection and involvement of the artist, ‘allowing art and architecture to influence and support each other in the development process’, and giving the artist the maximum creative freedom, are key to ensuring that art installations have the optimal impact.


In a society where mental illness is a growing problem, and where we are challenged to provide adequate treatment facilities, it is increasingly relevant to speak about healing architecture and integrated art as factors in patients’ healing and wellbeing. To increase understanding of why healing architecture and integrated art are extremely relevant, I will aim in this article to shed light on how we – as architects – can contribute to increased wellbeing and a healing process through architecture. As an architect working with the healing environment as a natural part of the physical framework in healthcare- related architecture, I have experienced how we actively implement this, and seen the results we achieve. My aim will be to focus on ‘building-


integrated’ art, where expression, materiality, and colours help define the healing environment. I will use examples from two Danish projects: AUH (Aaarhus University Hospital) Psychiatry, and Goedstrup Hospital (the Design in Mental Health Winner of Art Installation of the Year 2023), to illustrate how art has been integrated into the architecture – from the early planning stages, right through to the completed construction. The works of art addressed here are deeply embedded in the architecture, and are consciously used as an instrument and healer.


Healing architecture in brief Healing architecture is a way of designing hospital environments where the physical space is a contributing factor to healing. The design has a positive effect on the health and wellbeing of patients and users, and research indicates that architecture can reduce hospitalisation time and medication. Healing architecture argues, based on evidence-based research, that architectural design has a supportive effect on the treatment of physical and mental disorders. As architects, we combine available evidence with our architectural expertise, as well as the experience and expertise of healthcare professionals, often through extensive user involvement. Integrated art is an important element


THE NETWORK | NOVEMBER 2023


A surrounding path system and gardens provide access for movement and recreation, helping to create a healing environment at the AUH Psychiatric unit in Aarhus in Denmark.


in our architectural culture, and contributes positively to the quality and expression of buildings. Integrated art in this context refers to art created specifically for a particular building, and incorporated and adapted to the physical building structure. Integrated art establishes a connection between the surroundings, the building, and its users. We know that the built environment has an impact on our wellbeing, and we also know that artwork does as well. With art in our buildings, how can we achieve the best synergy between art and architecture for the benefit of a healing environment? Building-integrated art explores this question, starting with the evidence-based background behind recovery-centered designs. In my experience, as an architect


involved in several projects with integrated art, successful building-integrated art is achieved when the development of the art happens in parallel and coordinated with the development of the architecture. It requires early selection and involvement of


the artist, which allows art and architecture to influence and support each other in the development process until the result. At both AUH Psychiatry and Goedstrup Hospital, an external art consultant was involved early on, providing advice on artist selection, and conducting a competition for the art project to ensure a high level of expertise and the right artist for the task. In consultation with the client and art consultant, the architect defined the overall framework by specifying premises and visions for art and architecture, including identifying areas in the construction that were best suited for integrated artworks. In both cases, a comprehensive art strategy was developed. The overall goal of this strategy was to help create a safe and positive environment for patients, staff, and relatives.


Collaboration between architects and artists Through detailed design and execution, the architect, in collaboration with the artists and their project manager,


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Photo used courtesy of Tom Laursen


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