The partnership behind the upcoming transformation of OUH has completed an open ideas competition seeking ideas that demonstrate how 274,000 square metres in the heart of Odense can become a green, sensory and dynamic urban neighbourhood with housing, business, culture and urban nature. The submission deadline was 1 May, and the best proposals were selected on 18 June 2026.
In February 2026, Freja Ejendomme, Realdania By & Byg and the City of Odense invited participants to take part in an open ideas competition on the development of the former Odense University Hospital (OUH) – a competition that contributes to shaping the vision for the site’s next chapter.
The ideas competition was open to professionals, creatives, cultural and leisure organisations, businesses and citizens who wished to contribute ambitious and innovative ideas for how the existing area can be developed into an attractive and vibrant urban neighbourhood – and a strong example of future urban development in Denmark.
Through the ideas competition, the partners called for ideas and new perspectives – not finished solutions. The contributions are intended to inspire, challenge conventional thinking and help inform the long-term development process, based on the existing structures, the history of the site and the partnership’s shared values.
See the competition programme for the ideas competition here.
Prize Money Awarded to 18 Proposals
The submission deadline was 1 May, and by the closing date more than 80 participants had submitted a total of 122 proposals.
At a public award ceremony on 18 June 2026, the total prize fund of DKK 450,000 was distributed among six first prizes of DKK 45,000 each and twelve commendations of DKK 15,000 each. In addition, three proposals were highlighted as the public favourites based on more than 600 votes cast by visitors to the ideas festival in May 2026.
Jury Report
The partners behind the transformation of OUH have published a jury report setting out the reasons behind the selection of the six first-prize winners and the twelve proposals receiving commendations. The report also highlights the public’s three favourite proposals.
View the jury report (in Danish) and the awarded proposals here.
All interested visitors had the opportunity to view the submitted proposals at an exhibition held in connection with a public ideas festival between 13 and 22 May and again at the award ceremony on 18 June.
Awarded Proposals
Across the competition’s five themes, six first prizes of DKK 45,000 each were awarded, while a further twelve proposals received commendations of DKK 15,000 each.
The winners of the ideas competition on the transformation of OUH were selected by the jury committee at an award ceremony held in Odense on 18 June 2026.
VIew all the awarded proposals here.
View all 122 submitted proposals here.
View the competition programme here.