"Old Main” rehabilitation completed

”New architecture is good, but old architecture is not at all bad”, said Stig Slørdahl, Dean of the Medical Faculty at the completion of the Old Main rehabilitation.

19. May 2008 20:26 19. May 2008 20:31

19. May 2008 20:26 19. May 2008 20:26

The hospital park with the original, 1902 hospital in the background

The old main building of St. Olavs Hospital, officially named the '1902 building’ from the year of its completion, has been completely renovated and upgraded. The building will from now on house the hospital administration and the hospital ministers, as well as areas for social medicine, ergotherapy, fysiotherapy, a patient library and a substantial number of student work desks.

When it was built in 1902, it was not without controversy. Location was one hotly debated topic - why place a hospital way out in the countryside, when all the sick people were downtown? Cost and schedule overruns also created headlines at the time.

'Open house' at the offical handover. The floor decoration is part of the art project.

The stately 106-year old, 7400 sq. meter brick building presents a very stately red brick fasade to the hospital park, while the wings in its shallow ’E’ configuration cradle the future courtyard and garden for the Mobility centre. The high ceilings and corresponding windows actually create a good basis for a modern, high-tech building, as long as you don't try to move any walls...

The foundations proved a particular challenge during the rehabilitation. The broad, rubble filled walls are set directly on clay/silt ground and create a wick effect from the ground. Therefore, good ventilation and appropriate storage solutions have been required to avoid moisture build-up and possible mildew infestations. The ’breathing’ walls have also created challenges for wall paint solutions.

Original gas lamps from the war-time operating room - complete with swastikas - were discovered during the rehabilitation. They were electrified and hung in the entrance area.