Expanded Workspace: Latest Addition to the Establishment
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Crafted by Bjarke Ingels Group: A Sustainable Odyssey in Copenhagen's Industrial Heart
(Laurian Ghinițoiu Photos)
Take a stroll at the edge of Sundmolen district in North Copenhagen, and you'll come across a modern marvel nestled amidst historic warehouses and maritime landmarks — Bjarke Ingels Group's(BIG) alluring new HQ, invigorating the industrial harbor scene since early 2024. This seven-story, 27-meter-high architectural gem houses a 300-strong BIG team in Copenhagen. As the pioneer of BIG's LEAPP approach, this architectural wonder embodies genius integration of Landscape, Engineering, Architecture, Planning, and Product Design teams for slick design and construction strategies.
Keep an ear for this fascinating blend — "Every single aspect of LEAPP has been involved in our HQ, from the planning process to product design, down to the intricate stacking of concrete elements. The building's unique design calls for just one column to hold it all up," beamed Bjarke Ingels, the mastermind behind the BIG revolution.
Peering through the lens of a voyager, this wondrous structure offers captivating glimpses of the Nordhavn community, shimmering waters, and windmills at Middelgrunden as you traverse these impressively connected terraces. Sustainability is not an afterthought here; the building supplies 60 percent of its energy from solar and geothermal systems, with geothermal alone accounting for 84 percent of heating and the entirety of cooling needs.
No less awe-inspiring is the smarter concrete mixture — "Uni-Green" concrete, designed with a 25% reduction in carbon emissions via a partnership with Unicon. A grand 140-meter exterior spiral staircase ascends the building, connecting every level to an outdoor terrace. What's more, it doubles as a fire escape — a smart touch that liberates interior spaces from conventional core divisions.
Today, the former car park before this architectural masterpiece has transformed into a 1,500-square-meter park mirroring Denmark's coastal panorama, boasting native tree species and a myriad of soft landscaping that encourages biodiversity. Visitors of all ages can interact with American artist Benjamin Langholz's installation, Stone 40, a winding path of 40 stones embedded within the park. Harvesting for the HQ's canteen has been carefully thought out, too, with herbs tended along the spiraling outdoor staircase leading to a stunning rooftop terrace crafted from local saplings and offering dazzling views of the city and the sea.
Beneath the Surface
While the search results don't specify whether BIG's new headquarters was constructed using the LEAPP approach or offer details about sustainable elements, BIG is renowned for their green and eco-conscious design philosophies. Intriguing prospects of their sustainable practices include:
- Location and Environment Integration
- Natural Light and Ventilation
- Green Roofs and Walls
- Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Building Materials
With the LEAPP approach and sustainability as crucial pillars at the core of BIG's design methodologies, the new HQ promises to stand as a beacon of architectural ingenuity and environmental responsibility in Copenhagen's bustling industrial heart.
The investment in the environment is evident in Bjarke Ingels Group's new HQ, as the building's design integrates landscape, promoting home-and-garden elements like green roofs and walls. Additionally, the headquarters exemplifies sustainable living by supplying a significant portion of its energy from solar and geothermal systems, embracing a lifestyle that is eco-friendly and conscientious.
