COLUMN. Preliminary studies and the building briefs for the projects at Medicinareberget are proceeding, and the vision for Eastern Hospital (Östra Sjukhuset) is beginning to take shape. In his column Vice Dean Eric Hanse provides a status report on construction projects at both Medicinareberget and Eastern Hospital.
We have recently completed our preliminary study investigating research and classrooms premises in Östra sjukhuset (Eastern Hospital). This study is based on an assumption that hospital activities at Eastern will double in 20 years and assumes that the Academy’s presence in Eastern will also increase and needs highlighting.
A meeting place for students and researchers from different disciplines
The preliminary study proposes that research and teaching at the future Eastern Hospital will be on three levels: right next to the nursing ward/consulting room, close to the clinic and centrally located. The central “hub” would then also serve as a meeting place for students and researchers from different disciplines. The report from the preliminary study was presented to Sahlgrenska Academy’s Heads of Departments’ Council on May 22 and then discussed by the Board on June 5. For those interested in reading more, the Premises Program for Sahlgrenska Hospital at Eastern Hospital is available here (Swedish only).
The project for developing Eastern Hospital is very comprehensive and will extend over a long period of time. At present only the renovation of the children’s clinic is under way, and it is too early to say in what year the other work will start.
we might as well get used to the idea that it will be messy
The situation is the same at Medicinareberget, where so far only work on Naturvetenskap Life has begun with preparation of the site. Ahead of us are both new construction and renovations of existing premises on campus, and we might as well get used to the idea that it will be messy at Medicinareberget for a long time.
Future researchers will need access to research infrastructures that enable technological development and space for potential growth. Between 2001 and 2018, the number of employees at Sahlgrenska Academy has grown by just over 20 per cent, from 1,475 to 1,787 employees, and we now see consequences of this in the form of tight quarters. An inquiry into future research premises expects continued growth. We will soon be able to share the Research Premises Program report in its entirety in Akademiliv (Academy Life).
a collaborative culture worth preserving and developing
Sahlgrenska University Hospital is undoubtedly our most important partner, and we already are carrying out work in its premises. We have models for how we share the costs, and this is a collaborative culture worth preserving and developing. In the Sahlgrenska Life project, we are taking yet another step in that direction. We are also engaging in a similar dialog in the Naturvetenskap Life project. We share the same vision of using some of the new premises jointly.
Another preliminary study under way applies to Experimental Biomedicine (EBM), where the first part will be completed soon. Various proposals will be presented here to meet the growing need for rodents and to prevent infections among animals.
three different working committees are focusing on their own particular areas
Some departments await a move before the end of the year. Efforts to find alternative premises have been ongoing and are still not quite done. We will provide information on this as soon as the last pieces of the puzzle are in place. Recently the City of Gothenburg notified us that we are allowed to set up temporary buildings in the parking lot at Lundberg Laboratory, which is an example of a concrete step forward.
Regarding the Sahlgrenska Life project, the building brief has come a bit farther on Building 1 than on Buildings 2 and 3 and the Odontology Building. We expect the combined brief to be ready toward the end of the year. As many people know, Higab, which owns the Odontology Building, has been thinking about its future ownership. Whatever happens, the company will continue to participate in developing the brief. In the Sahlgrenska Life project, there are three different working committees focusing on their own particular areas. One committee is looking at solutions for the translational clusters, which include patient-centered research in metabolism, inflammation and cancer. Another is focusing on clinical training centers and teaching premises, while the third is examining ways to create environments for collaboration with private industry.
projects for improving campus and student environments at Campus Medicinareberget
During planning of these large construction projects, we are also working on improvements that can be implemented faster. Provision of premises at the Property and Services Unit has been tasked by the Campus Council and our Council for Premises to conduct two projects for improving campus and student environments at Campus Medicinareberget, which also includes the Earth Sciences Center and the Botanical Building. One project, which focuses on student environments and educational facilities, will start with a review of Medicinarelängan’s lunchroom, group rooms and common areas. We are also looking at the possibility, as a pilot, of modernizing some of our larger classrooms. The second project, which focuses on outdoor campus environments at Medicinareberget, is looking into lighting, signage and walkways, among other things. Student and department representatives are participating in both projects.
In other words, a lot is happening right now, but much is in the distant future, and before we can reap the rewards of the efforts we have now begun, we have many practical challenges to deal with.
Eric Hanse
How to stay up-to-date on construction projects at Medicinareberget:
- Information related to ongoing construction projects is published in Akademiliv(Academy Life) every two weeks.
- Construction work at Medicinareberget page on the Staff Portal that provides text, images & film. Here you will also find frequently asked questions and answers.
- Email questions about the construction to medicinareberget@gu.se. The Communication Unit will ensure the right person responds to your query.
- Send questions related to operational planning and how the consequences of construction will be handle to the managers.
