[ KHR Architects ] new school, leisure space and library in Ørestad City

KHR Architects wins competition for new school, leisure space and library in Ørestad City

KHR architects won the competition for a new school, leisure space and library in Ørestad City with consulting engineers WSP Group Cenergia Energy Consult and Bisgaard Landscape Architects ApS. They won over Witraz architects and architects Henning Larsen. The reasons for the choice of architects KHR for this project is explained by the judges:

- The building has an artistic nerve and approach to the detail that shows both the ability and willingness to create a structure that signals school. The deliberate play with the lines of the building creates both a whole and individuality that will support the identity of the student.

The project was inspired by an Italian mountain, and as in the Tuscan mountains, visitors can go exploring in a rash of small alleys and terraces outside the building, which is made publicly available with an external staircase. The composition gets the following praise from the jury:

- The building as a whole has a feeling of something with a clear proportion. Yet it is vibrant and transparent and clearly a building that inspires education, leisure time and play.

The vision behind the new school, leisure space and library is to create a social and cultural hub for the entire Ørestad. So KHR architects focused on creating a building that serves as a guideline for the entire district. Inside the school is linked with international library on the ground floor via a large internal staircase that runs up through the school's 8 floors. Floors and the connections between them is designed as a street running into a mountain with a variety of tight alleys, piazza’s, open views over the surroundings, and small quiet rooms.

The idea to project the school as a mountain village was commended by the judges to be a very intense and clear virtual and aesthetic profile of the new school which will have particular emphasis on aesthetic subjects and learning processes.

- It is estimated that the project has laid a good and effective framework for further educational profiles  both virtual and aesthetic. It will be possible to experience real ownership of the quite different locations both inside and outside, the referee report.

The school is equipped with different types of spaces that allow for group work, work in workshops and time for depth. Outside the school offers plenty of urban spaces for the users including terraces, canals and the Pocket park to the north. A large outdoor room with many different opportunities for both residents, teaching and play.

KHR architects have been pioneers in the creation of sustainable architecture in Denmark. Care for the environment is clearly reflected in the new building which will act as a spearhead project for Copenhagen's efforts to save energy.

Partners:

Consulting engineers WSP Group Cenergia Energy Consult, Bisgaard Landscape Architects ApS

Advisors to the consortium:

Professor Jens Kvorning, Danish arcitecture shool, Center for Architecture and Sport v. Rene Kural and Winnie van Rick, Kingo Consult, school leader Bent Stokholm

Client:

Københavns Kommune

Budget:

290 million. DKK

Timetable:

Construction completed in September 2011.

from  dagensdesign