Realised as an extension to the existing premises of one of Denmark’s leading financial services companies, Nykredit, this slanting parallelogrammically-shaped building has been developed by the Danish architectural practice schmidt hammer lassen architects. Named the Best Structural Design of the Year at last year’s LEAF Awards, the 6,850-square-meters glass-clad structure rests ‘on a single point and a single line’ while studio’s ‘holistic approach to the environmental strategy enabled ’to combine a completely transparent office building with an exceptionally low energy-consumption at 70 kWh per square metre.’

More about the project:

‘The extension to Nykredit consists of a new building – the Crystal – sited northwest of the existing Nykredit premises. Freestanding on the site, it reads as a transparent, geometrical, glazed form which floats as a visually light, crystalline structure above the plaza. In terms of both form and scale, the building is intermediate between the city and the harbour, and harmonises with neighbouring buildings. The interior of the building is constrained by the demands of functionality, flexibility and efficiency.’

‘The building’s multi-faceted glass façade reflects both daylight and the immediate surroundings, but the double-glazing also features an integrated sun screen that allows the building to adapt to changing light conditions. In addition, the outer glazing system includes a subtle silk print design that both mitigates solar ingress and will also enliven the ambience of the harbour area.’

‘The typical floor plan is disposed in a Z-shape around two atria, which ensures that all workstations are well lit and enjoy a view. The disposition of the plan allows the accommodation of open plan, separate offices or meeting rooms. The building is primarily supported by a rhombic construction system placed immediately inside the façade. The system functions both as an architectural element while also allowing the building to dispense with pillars.’

Posted by Malgorzata Stankiewicz on 09.01.2012 - Tagged as: Copenhagen, Denmark, Office, schmidt hammer lassen