Nykredit Offices, Copenhagen, Denmark

Related person

Eric Haddenham (was created by)

Date

2010

Description

The Nykredit Offices extension, also known as the Crystal, is just north of the Nykredit headquarters and was designed by Schmidt, Hammer, Lassen architects. Freestanding on the site, it readas 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. 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. The typical floor plan is disposed in a Z-shape around two atria for lighting and views. 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. 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. The outer glazing system includes a subtle silk print design. The scheme manages to combine a completely transparent office building with an exceptionally low energy-consumption at 70 kWh per square metre. The roof is covered with highly efficient photovoltaic panels generating 80,000 kWh per year. The triple-layered inner glass façade provides extremely effective thermal insulation, with a U-value of only 0.7 Wh per square metre. 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. 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. 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 building's insulated façade prevents noise interference from the busy road outside.

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