# Nature-Inspired Hospitals This Cheerful Hospital Design Concept is Fresh and Hopeful By Farida Helmy | Published 2014-04-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheerful-hospital-design References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2014/04/09/herzog-de-meuron-new-north-zealand-hospital-denmark/) & [herzogdemeuron](https://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index.html) Whoever said hospitals had to be depressing, dark and dingy will be (happily) surprised to see what a cheerful hospital design could look like. Not only will the hospital be designed in a way that is airy, bright and hopeful, it will be built smack in the middle of a Danish forest and it will be shaped like a four-leaf clover. The concept was designed by [Herzog & de Meuron](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/herzog-de-meuron) (in collaboration with local firm Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects), who won a competition to design the hospital in Hillerød, Copenhagen. The New North Zealand Hospital will be designed as a low-rise pavilion that will combine both [functionality and architectural beauty](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oakv-clinic). "The hospital organically reaches out into the wide landscape. Simultaneously, its soft, flowing form binds the many components of the hospital. It is a low building that fosters exchange between staff and patients, and it has a human scale despite its very large size," says the Herzog & de Meuron team about the cheerful hospital design. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Nature-inspired Design:** There is a growing trend in hospitals to incorporate natural elements into their design for a more uplifting and healing environment. - **Architecture Competition:** The use of architecture competitions to solicit innovative and functional designs for healthcare facilities is becoming more popular. - **Low-rise Pavilion Design:** The trend toward low-rise pavilion design for hospitals combines functionality with architectural beauty and a human scale. ### Who This Affects Most - **Healthcare:** Incorporating nature-inspired design concepts in healthcare facilities is a disruptive innovation opportunity for enhancing patient experience and improving healing outcomes. - **Architecture:** The use of competitions to solicit innovative and functional designs for hospitals is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the architecture industry to create more sustainable and human-centered environments. - **Construction:** The trend toward low-rise pavilion design in healthcare facilities is a disruptive innovation opportunity for construction companies to create more sustainable and cost-effective building solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Futuristic Hospital Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jawaher-boston-medical-district.md) - [Tranquil Psychiatric Clinic Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tempere-psychiatric-clinic.md) - [Town-Like Children's Hospital](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/herzog-de-meuron.md) - [Village-Like Tranquil Hospice Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sankt-lukas-hospice-and-lukashuset.md) - [Therapeutic Architecture Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heartland-whole-health-institute.md) - [Large Winter Garden Hospitals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midland-metropolitan-university-hospital.md) - [Garden-Centric Health Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carcavelos-health-complex.md) - [Warm Medical Interior Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oakv-clinic.md) - [Communal Cancer Care Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warm-nest.md)