
Brønderslev Psychiatry
Following the amendments to the Psychiatry Act passed by the Danish Parliament on June 2, 2017, Region North Jutland was tasked with establishing 16 special places within its psychiatric department.
To meet this requirement, the region chose to renovate and extend the existing patient units at Brønderslev Psychiatric Hospital, creating a facility that unites safety and dignity through architecture.
The project reinterprets protection not as restriction but as a foundation for trust, calm, and respectful care, supporting both intensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Facts
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Lead Consultant
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Region North Jutland
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Brønderslev, Denmark
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1,790 m²
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Project 2018, not built
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Orbicon


Focus on security
The primary goal of these placements is to provide intensive, holistic, and recovery-oriented treatment while reducing violent incidents and conflicts. A key ambition is to strengthen security without compromising the sense of openness and dignity that supports mental health care. One innovative approach is the transformation of the traditional perimeter fence into an integrated architectural feature. The new extension itself functions as a secure boundary while simultaneously creating a closed, recreational courtyard for patient use. This dual-purpose design exemplifies inclusive design principles—enhancing both safety and quality of life for patients.
Creating a healing environment
To support successful rehabilitation, the architectural design emphasizes a calming and therapeutic atmosphere. As a piece of therapeutic architecture, it focuses on light, materials, and spatial clarity to foster trust and well-being. Careful consideration has been given to material selection, textures, and colors, creating a healing environment that contributes positively to patients’ overall mental health and sense of security
Physical and occupational outlets
A multipurpose activity room is a key feature of the new extension, designed to support physical and occupational therapy activities. The space is equipped with built-in cabinets for storing equipment and props, ensuring flexibility for a range of therapeutic and recreational uses. This adaptability allows the facility to cater to diverse patient needs and promote active engagement in their recovery, reinforcing the project’s recovery-oriented treatment approach.
This project exemplifies how thoughtful design and innovative solutions can enhance both safety and the therapeutic impact of psychiatric care facilities.
By merging healing environments with inclusive design and therapeutic architecture, Brønderslev Psychiatry extension supports well-being for both patients and staff, creating a safe, compassionate, and recovery-oriented setting for mental health care.