Crystals, Extension Nykredit, Copenhagen, DK
In Copenhagen, economic change is increasingly relocating industry and logistics companies to the outskirts of the city; the attractive areas in the middle of the city at the port are becoming service centres. The Danish Nykredit Bank has also moved its headquarters to the port area and added a building. The eye-catching, sculptural design, like the one for the main building, was penned by the Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects.
Project data
Architect
Schmidt Hammer lassen, Copenhagen, DK
Client
Nykredit, Copenhagen, DK
Construction
HS Hansen-Metallbau
Products
usedGEWE-safe® made of GEWE-dur®, GEWE-therm® 3-fold
Glass supplier
Schollglas Sachsen GmbH, Nossen
Schollglas Technik GmbH, Isernhagen
Glass crystal at the harbour of Copenhagen
The building with the figurative name “Kristallen” – Danish for crystal – is prominently located overlooking the harbor, nestled between old brick buildings and modern glass architecture. Adapted in height and volume to the surrounding buildings, it attracts attention with its dynamic appearance, which is characterised by the glass shell. Depending on the incidence of light, the façade elements have a different transparent or reflective effect. Above a hexagonal floor plan reminiscent of a gemstone, the building envelope rises in an expressive up and down movement. Only at a base point and an edge running across the floor plan does the building touch the ground and end in a spire stretched up towards the city. This is where the spacious main entrance is located: an imposing staircase leads visitors and employees into the light-flooded interior. Two atriums with a triangular floor plan run through all six levels and thus supply all workplaces with natural light. The superimposition of the hexagonal floor plan with the two triangular atriums gives the individual floor areas the shape of a Z. Bridges, stairs and glass elevators connect the various areas with each other. The architecture reflects the bank’s claim to be transparent and flexible – the entire building is characterised by a light and bright, inspiring atmosphere.
Complex supporting structure directly behind the glass façade
In order to obtain an open, column-free interior that can be used flexibly, the complex supporting structure of the building is located directly behind the façade in the interior. Steel profiles welded into diamonds transfer the loads and stiffen the building. On the outside of the steel mesh, a mullion-transom construction with a double-skin glass façade takes on the room-enclosing function. The GEWE-therm® triple multifunctional glass from SCHOLLGLAS was used here, which offers effective thermal protection when viewed and viewed neutrally. The lenses are also equipped with a TGI edge seal, a so-called “warm edge”. This edge composite system optimizes the thermal transition from frame to glass, thus reducing energy consumption.
The full-surface glass façade reflects long-wave infrared radiation
Especially in office buildings with a high proportion of glass, the danger of solar heating must be taken into account. In “crystals”, GEWE-therm® sun was therefore implemented with the high-selective coating Planistar 70/40. This allows the proportion of daylight, which is important for optimal visibility, to enter the interior, but at the same time ensures that long-wave infrared radiation, which is responsible for heating up indoor spaces, is reflected to the outside. Adapted to the respective installation situation, the GEWE-therm® triple insulating glass optimally meets various requirements. For example, on the ground floor they were designed as safety glass in the parapet and overhead areas, and as stepped insulating glass for frameless corner glazing in the vertical corner areas.
Architectural eye-catcher in Copenhagen
The second layer of the façade is a glass shell made of GEWE-safe® laminated safety glass, consisting of highly robust GEWE-dur® toughened safety glass, in an aluminium construction. Some of the approximately 2000 panes are printed on the outside using a ceramic screen printing process with a weather-resistant so-called side-one ink. 36 different, white dot grid combinations, which were developed according to the façade design of the architects, give the façade a different transparent appearance. Depending on the angle of incidence, the light is either reflected or transmitted – giving the building the multifaceted appearance of a crystal.
Barely put into operation, the new architectural eye-catcher in the port of Copenhagen has already been awarded the European Steel Award and the LEAF 2011 Award for Best Structural Design.
