Middelfart Savings Bank, Danish Building, 3XN Architects, Project, News, Design, Image

Middelfart Savings Bank Fyn

Office Building in Denmark design by 3XN Architects

21 Apr 2010

Middelfart Savings Bank

Design: 3XN Architects

images : Adam Mørk – 3XN

Remarkable Architecture in small town, Denmark
Characterized by a dramatic roofscape, the Middelfart Savings Bank will be putting the Danish town on the island of Fyn on the architectural map – and at the same time provide a new public space for local citizens.

The 83 prism like skylights compose the spectacular roof surface defining the geometry of the rest of the building – in reference to the maritime environment on the harbor front as well as the surrounding timber framed buildings. The roof is designed to frame a perfect view towards the Lillebælt waters as well with a functional purpose of shading from direct sunlight.

Under the roof different functions such as a bookshop, a café, a real estate agent and the cash desk are placed around a central plaza, resulting in the building forming an informal public meeting space.

images : Adam Mørk

Middelfart Savings Bank is a social institution and they feel a great responsibility for their local area. We wanted to reflect that by creating a social space which embraces the city and the inhabitants as well as the bank itself, explains Kim Herforth Nielsen, Principal of 3XN who designed the building.

Internationally renowned artist Olafur Eliasson has created an art installation for the plaza. Six ‘shooting star’ kaleidoscopes inspired by the triangular geometry of the building are lowered into the ground floor granite adding an extra dimension to the structure.

Middelfart Savings Bank’s new head office was awarded the MIPIM Future Projects Award in 2006. It was inaugurated April 16 2010.

images : Adam Mørk – 3XN

The Middelfart Savings Bank in Fyn, Denmark – Building Information

Address: Havnegade 21, Middelfart
Client: Trekantens Ejendomsselskab A/S
Award: 1. prize in invited competition 2005
Completion: 2010
Size: 5.000 sqm
Architect: 3XN
Engineer: COWI
Landscape Architect: Schønherr

Photo: Adam Mørk

Prize: MIPIM AR Future Projects Award 2006

3XNs visionary and empathetic winning proposal unites the Middelfart Savings Bank’s high ambitions for their new head office. The building must ensure a perfect environment for the employees, while also positively stress demands for high architectural quality in the future development along the harbour front.

One large roof covers all functions in the building. The roof is a large elegant wooden structure with numerous openings. The openings bring in abundant amounts of daylight and allow for direct view of the sea from all places in the building, up and down. In this way, the light and friendly atmosphere sought for by the bank is achieved.

image : Morten K Stoltz

The new building is carefully fitted into the context. To one side, the village is respected by following dimensions, scale and the shape of the roof. Towards the harbour the building retracts and makes way for a new, triangular space that opens for the view. From the plaza, one enters a large, indoor ‘market place’, the heart of the building. At entrance level, a bookshop, a café and a real estate agent – and the cash desk – is placed.

The rest of the bank’s area is spread at a series of terraces with open connections to the plaza – and to each other. The terraces are connected by spacious staircases that provide good opportunities for the important informal meeting.

With its central position, the building will become a natural meeting point for clients, staff and visitors. In relation to the surrounding city, a delicate balance has been achieved – a beautiful, contemporary and well functioning building that integrates respectfully in the overall picture.

image : Adam Mørk