COWI & Arkitema to shape the next phase of Oslo University Hospital

COWI is taking part in one of Norway’s most ambitious and impactful healthcare projects—helping define the next phase of Oslo University Hospital’s transformation.

Appointed by Helse Sør-Øst RHF, COWI will work alongside Arkitema and Ratio Architects to develop the concept for Stage 2 of the hospital’s long-term expansion. Together, the team will help lay the foundation for a modern, future-ready hospital that will serve generations to come.

Oslo University Hospital is evolving step by step into a fully integrated, state-of-the-art healthcare system. With Stage 1 already under construction at Aker and Rikshospitalet—set for completion around 2031—attention now turns to the next major milestone.

Stage 2 will bring together critical remaining functions, completing the vision of a cohesive and forward-looking hospital structure for Oslo and the wider region.

“This marks the beginning of the next main phase in modernizing Oslo University Hospital,” says Dag Bøhler, Program Director at Helse Sør-Øst RHF. “We are aiming for solutions that combine cost-efficiency with high-quality patient care, strong preparedness, and seamless day-to-day operations.”

Impact That Reaches Far Beyond Oslo

This is more than a local hospital project. Oslo University Hospital plays a national role in emergency care, specialised treatment, research, and education—serving patients from across Norway.

“This is a project with real societal impact,” says Ebbe Lind Kristensen, Division Director at COWI. “Our task is to understand how the hospital works today—and translate that into solutions that will perform in the future. We are designing for long-term value, across professional, economic, and societal dimensions.”

By strengthening the connection between Aker and Rikshospitalet/Gaustad, the project will ensure that the hospital operates seamlessly as a whole—ready to meet both everyday needs and future challenges.

Designing hospitals that work—for people

Delivering a project of this scale requires deep expertise and true collaboration. The interdisciplinary team from COWI, Arkitema, and Ratio Architects brings extensive experience from major hospital developments across the Nordics.

“When new and existing environments must work as one, holistic thinking is essential,” says Malin Bryntesson, Managing Director at Arkitema. “Our goal is to create spaces that support smooth workflows and provide a sense of safety and dignity for every patient.”

In this phase, architecture becomes a powerful enabler—bringing together people, processes, and spaces into a unified whole.

“Great hospital design is about how everyday life functions,” says Solveig Strand, Managing Director at Ratio Architects. “This is where we define the framework for patient pathways, working environments, and collaboration across disciplines.”

Laying the Groundwork for the Future

The concept phase is now underway and will form the basis for the next steps in the project’s development.

Key focus areas include:

How remaining functions can be best organised and located
How new and existing buildings can work seamlessly together
Which solutions provide the strongest support for patient flow, operations, and preparedness
What options are viable within defined frameworks

No construction decisions will be made at this stage—but the choices explored here will shape the hospital of the future.