TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY AT THE EVANGELISCHES KRANKENHAUS ALSTERDORF
The topping-out ceremony is deeply rooted in the traditions and customs of the carpentry craft. Many of these traditions have been widespread since the early Middle Ages and are still lovingly and carefully preserved today..." — how much we would have liked to honor this tradition in a ceremonial setting with representatives from the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, hospital staff, and all those involved in the project! However, due to the ongoing Covid situation and the applicable health regulations, we must still exercise caution when managing the new building for the psychiatric department of the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Alsterdorf (EKA), and have therefore decided to dedicate this topping-out ceremony exclusively to the special people on the construction site who, day after day, put in so much energy and skill.
Where, it feels like just yesterday, dust and rubble from the demolition of the Wichernhaus lay, today — after the completion of the shell construction — one can already sense the spatial structure of the psychiatric department of the Evangelisches Krankenhaus Alsterdorf (EKA) with its comprehensive functional areas. In addition to the inpatient beds for the psychiatric departments, there will be a geriatric day clinic, a ward for qualified detoxification, and, on the upper floors, an epilepsy (EPI) functional area and intensive monitoring, expanding the current main building. With these additional intensive monitoring beds, the EKA will become one of the largest and most modern epilepsy centers in Germany. There is still much to be done before the move-in during the second half of 2023 — but we are very pleased that we have not experienced any delays in the schedule so far, and have been able to complete the shell construction on time as planned, despite the ongoing challenging conditions!
Therefore, we say "Thank you" to all those involved who are managing the project responsibly, reliably, and competently. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration and would like to join in the sentiments and thoughts expressed in the traditional topping-out toast:
"For those who are sick, it is certain,
that everyone shares in their concern.
We also thank the builder here,
who with strength and without fear,
took on this great construction risk
and has financed it with success.
Health is the highest good,
contentment and cheerful mood,
this is what is most priceless,
and what people value the most.
So if health is lacking,
and life's burdens bring forth sadness,
one can come here with ease,
for they will leave healthy, we believe.
May the Lord bestow His blessing
upon the building and the builder's dressing,
and protect this house from harm,
from floods, fire, and any alarm."