Livsrum Cancer Counselling Centre by EFFEKT

A cluster of seven house-shaped buildings makes up this cancer care centre in Næstved, Denmark, by Copenhagen firm EFFEKT (+ slideshow).

Rather than designing the facility as one large structure, EFFEKT planned a series of domestic-scale buildings with gabled roof profiles and arranged them around a pair of courtyards on a site at the Næstved Hospital.

"Varying roof heights and materials means that the building will have its own unique architectural character that clearly distinguishes it from the surrounding hospital buildings," said the architects.

White fibre-cement boards are arranged horizontally across the exterior walls and roof of each block, apart from two facades that are clad in vertical timber boards to signify the positions of entrances.

The building was commissioned by the Danish Cancer Society and provides a centre where anyone affected by cancer can find out more about the illness or receive counselling. It is located close to the hospital's cancer ward, providing easy access for patients and family members.

Each house-shaped building provides a different function and they include a library, a kitchen, private meeting rooms, a lounge, a shop, a gym and a healthcare facility.

"The houses offer a wide range of rooms for informal advice, therapy and interaction with a focus on the user's comfort and wellbeing," explained the architects.

Two courtyards are positioned between the buildings and feature paved areas filled with garden furniture.

Bookshelves cover entire walls, integrating small window seats, while a mixture of homely furnishings feature throughout.

Other cancer-care facilities we've featured include a series of Maggie's Centres, which were developed in the UK to provide support to anyone affected by cancer and have been designed by architects including Snøhetta and OMA. See more Maggie's Centres »

Another project we've published by EFFEKT is a visitor centre with a ramped green roof in Copenhagen.

Exterior photography is by Quintin Lake. Interior photography is by Thomas Ibsen.

Here's a short description from the architects:

Livsrum - Cancer Counselling Centre, Næstved, Denmark

Livsrum is EFFEKT's project in the competition for a new cancer counselling centre at Næstved Hospital in Denmark in collaboration with Hoffmann and Lyngkilde.

The centre is designed as a cluster of seven small houses around two green outdoor spaces.

Each house has its own specific function and together they form a coherent sequence of different spaces and functions such as a library, kitchen, conversation rooms, lounge, shops, gym, and wellness facilities.

The house offers a wide range of different rooms for informal advice, therapy and interaction with a focus on the users' comfort and wellbeing.

A varying roof height and materials used means that the building will have its own unique architectural character that clearly distinguishes it from the surrounding hospital buildings.

With the location of the cancer counselling centre close to the hospital's cancer ward, it is set for a closer collaboration between hospital staff and the Danish Cancer Society.

In the spring of 2013 the Danish Cancer Society staff and volunteers in Næstved expects to offer cancer patients and caregivers a warm welcome in the new cancer counselling centre.