The New BIG Office in Copenhagen

Architecture: BIG
Text: Mónika Tornóczky
Photos: Andreas Konnerup, Laurian Ghinitoiu, Rasmus Hjortshøj

Clear and bright spaces, striking structures, clean use of building materials, views of the sea and the city. A brand new quality has also been created that we may label as ‘hedonistic sustainability’. These are the hallmarks of BIG’s latest purpose-built headquarters. The choice and palette of materials was driven by the spirit of sustainability; in line with their sustainable and environmentally conscious vision, the company first considered a wooden building, taking into account the site’s features and characteristics, and finally opted for a reinforced concrete structure, because it is located at the end of a pier in Nordhavn, the building is surrounded by the sea from three sides and it has to face strong winds. The concrete structure is made of an innovative material (FutureCem) with a 25-30% lower carbon footprint than the conventional tp of concrete. Durability and recycling were also key factors and considerations when selecting other materials for the project. The structure, which dominates the whole design, is the main characteristic feature of the trapezoidal building. The trapezoidal floor plan arrangement follows the lines of the pier: the eastern façade is only one unit wide, while the other façades can accommodate two wall supports each. At first glance, the austere façade appears actually both playful and logical — it evokes the atmosphere of a container port environment and setting. This is the very first project designed by the BIG team using the new methodology it has developed itself. The BIG LEAP allows five areas to cooperate continuously to achieve project success. The word LEAP does not only carry its meaning, but its letters also represent the would-be areas and fields involved in BIG’s methodology.

Architecture, structural engineering, landscape architecture, interior design: BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group