Nykredit Copenhagen, The Crystal Building, Photo, Headquarters, Design, Architecture

Nykredit Offices, Denmark

The Crystal HQ, København, Danmark design by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

1 Aug 2011

Headquarters Building, Denmark

Design: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects – shl

Nykredit Offices Denmark : The Crystal Copenhagen

photo : Adam Mørk

Nykredit Offices Copenhagen

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, resting only on a single point and a single line, floats as a visually light, crystalline structure above the plaza.

photo : Adam Mørk

The Crystal

In terms of both form and scale, the building is intermediate between the city and the harbour, and harmonises with neighbouring buildings. On the southern side it rises with reference to the Elefanthuset’s gable apex and creates space for the main entrance. From the corner of Puggardsgade and Hambrosgade there is passage under the building and a clear view out towards Nykredit’s head office building, called the Glass Cube, and the harbour.

photos : Adam Mørk

The interior of the building is constrained by the demands of functionality, flexibility and efficiency. 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.

photos : Adam Mørk

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 piazza features a large water pool which reflects the sun and the clouds moving across the sky. The Crystal and the Cloud are designed to interact with their surroundings, offering a subtle connection between the formal architecture of the Glyptotek Museum of Ancient and Modern Art, and the waterfront area which forms the setting for the new building.

photos : Adam Mørk

Sustainability

Energy

The design team has brought a holistic approach to the environmental strategy underlying the project. The scheme manages to combine a completely transparent office building with an exceptionally low energy-consumption at 70 kWh per square metre, which means that the building consumes 25 percent less energy than the existing energy legislation. The roof is covered with highly efficient photovoltaic panels generating 80,000 kWh per year. In addition, the triple-layered inner glass façade provides extremely effective thermal insulation, with a U-value of only 0.7 Wh per square metre.

Water

Rainwater run-off is collected to be used as grey water for toilet facilities throughout the building, while sea water provides additional cooling for the building.

Ventilation

The scheme operates a night-time cooling strategy where natural ventilation is introduced through the double façade and extracted through the atrium skylights, maintaining optimum internal temperatures.

photos : Adam Mørk

Context

The building floats above the plaza resting only on a single point and a single line, and it is carefully harmonised with the neighbouring buildings. The additional public space at ground level creates a dynamic public realm.

Daylight

The highly transparent building with a subtle silk-printed design on the outer glass façade functioning as a sunscreen creates a harmonious and versatile working environment for all employees.

Noise

The building’s insulated façade prevents noise interference from the busy road outside.

photos : Adam Mørk

The Crystal Copenhagen – Building Information

Architects: schmidt hammer lassen architects
Client: Nykredit
Area: 6,850 sqm
On commission: 2006
Status: Construction period 2008-10
Engineer: Grontmij I Carl Bro A/S ; Buro Happold
Client consultant: Alectia
Landscape architect: SLA

From the designers of the Sort Diamant

The Crystal was shortlisted for the LEAF Awards 2011

The Crystal Building images / information from schmidt hammer lassen architects

photos © Adrian Welch