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FRIrom – a room for emotion

The little structure on the roof of St Olav's Hospital gives relatives a space to withdraw, room for the thoughts and emotions that arise in testing situations.

Architect: Maren Storihle Ødegård and Sunniva Huus Nordbø
Published 29 Aug, 2013
 
Frirom is an independent structure, erected on the roof of the Women's and Children's Centre at St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim.

Frirom is an independent structure, erected on the roof of the Women's and Children's Centre at St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim.

Frirom, a space where relatives of hospital patients can withdraw and find peace and quiet.

Frirom, from the entrance. Your clothes and shoes at the entrance signals to people outside that the space is occupied.

Frirom. Place for shoes.

Frirom. The little structure is assembled from prefabricated timber elements.

Frirom. A space for peace and quiet.

Plan.

Section.

Detail at floor junction.

Completion: 2013

Address:
Kvinne-barn-senteret, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim

View it on the map

Photo:
Pasi Aalto

People in emotionally precarious situations are especially sensitive to their physical surroundings. Nurse Mads Bøhler saw the need for a place at the hospital where family and visitors can retreat and be alone with their thoughts.

FRIrom was developed as a Master’s thesis at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. It is a small timber structure, built with digitally produced timber elements, insulated externally with recyclable wood fibre mats and clad with braided aspen strips.

The sky lit interior has a wool-covered mattress and one large cushion, and by leaving your coat and shoes at the door you signal to others that the room is in use.