Steno Diabetes Centre North Jutland
Digital ceramic printing brings hand-painted artwork to life across four storeys.
In close collaboration with artist Alexander Tovborg and the architecture firm Friis & Moltke, we have delivered a striking glass balustrade for the staircase at the Steno Diabetes Centre in Aalborg. The balustrade is installed along a four-storey stairwell, with each floor distinguished by its own colour. The complete work appears as a cohesive artistic installation in motion throughout the building, It is based on a hand-painted original artwork, which was scanned and transferred onto glass using digital ceramic printing.
The Flower as a Central Motif
The balustrade features a floral motif inspired by the architectural expression of the building, which includes hanging gardens and green spaces. At the entrance areas on each floor, the motif continues into the concrete, contributing to the overall visual identity.
Artist Alexander Tovborg describes the flower as “a symbol of health, life and hope” – a central theme for the decoration of a place where people live with a chronic illness and are in need of support, calm, and uplifting surroundings. The work aims to bring a bright and life-affirming atmosphere to the Diabetes Centre.
Interaction Between Light, Colour and Material
Glass was chosen as the material to harness the building’s natural light. When sunlight hits the artwork, it reflects off the concrete walls, creating a vibrant interplay between the colourful piece and the raw in-situ concrete. Tovborg emphasises that art in sensitive environments should not overpower, but rather integrate harmoniously and enhance the experience of the space.
“I was genuinely pleased when I saw the completed piece. The colours are well chosen, and I hope that both the staff and the many patients and relatives who come here will enjoy it,” says Alexander Tovborg.
A Close Collaboration with Focus on Artistic Precision
The process began with the production of multiple print samples, allowing the artist and architect to experience how the hand-painted expression would translate to glass and natural light. Once they saw the samples and understood the possibilities of digital ceramic printing, they were convinced – it was the ideal solution for the project, both aesthetically and technically.
The finished result is a functional and aesthetic glass balustrade that transforms the staircase into an artistic space – a visual journey ascending through the building, where each floor introduces its own colour palette and where light becomes part of the narrative.
For the project, Glaseksperten supplied 250 m² of 1010.4 low-iron toughened laminated glass balustrades with digital ceramic print.
Project name
Steno Diabetes Centre North Jutland
Location
Aalborg
Type
Treatment centre
Certification
DGNB Guld certification
Products
250 m2 glass balustrade - Toughened laminated low iron glass with digital ceramic print
Customer
Region Nordjylland
Developer
Region Nordjylland
Architect
Friis og Moltke
Photo
Lars Ditlev Pedersen
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