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Major building project attracts international heavyweights 

Photo: COWI
An aerial view of the site to be developed.
COWI has established a partnership with Rem Koolhaas/OMA and ARUP for a major building project in central Copenhagen, Denmark. The project is to be an architectural gem, built on the site of a former brewery.
Renowned Dutch architects Rem Koolhaas/OMA, the worldwide design and consulting firm ARUP, and COWI have established a partnership to develop a major building project in central Copenhagen, Denmark. The project is to be an architectural gem, built on the site of a former brewery.

Realea, a subsidiary of the Danish foundation Realdania, is behind the project to rejuvenate a former brewery on the harbour front in central Copenhagen.
 
The complex will be housing both exhibition and public facilities for the Danish Architecture Centre, office space, residential units, a restaurant, a playground and extensive parking facilities. Total floor space will be 45.000 m2.

In good company

World-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas and his Dutch company OMA has been selected for the assignment as main consultant.

In Realdania's own words, they are very excited about the Koolhaas/OMA engagement, as they are known to only involve themselves in projects where they can make a personal and significant difference.

OMA has appointed ARUP as engineers and ARUP in turn has now appointed COWI as their local partner for the project. PLH arkitekter are consulting architects to OMA throughout the entire process and will cooperate closely with COWI.

PLH will take over the project management next year to fulfil the detailed design in Denmark.

Challenging creativity and ingenuity

"At COWI we are very excited to be involved in a project of this character. The building complex itself will be an attraction in Copenhagen, and COWI's partners on this project are international key players.
 
"On the technical side, it is a great challenge to build a three-storey construction below ground level right next to a harbour, as well as having to build above, below and around Copenhagen's roads without disturbing the traffic flow significantly.
 
"Also, Koolhaas /OMA are well known for designs that challenge both the engineer's creativity and ingenuity. So we are looking forward to a lot of exciting challenges and experiences", says Senior Project Manager Kim Bundgaard.

Showcase the future

Realea's mission for the building is to:

  • Create a building of exceptional architectural quality
  • Fortify the district and the link between city and harbour
  • Showcase the future in office, exhibition and residential buildings
  • Demonstrate new selection procedures and modes of cooperation

COWI has been working with OMA and ARUP since November 2006 to establish a building programme. The project is currently moving into its proposal stages where it will continue for the rest of 2007. The detailed design phase will take up most of 2008, and the planned completion of the building is scheduled for the end of 2010.

By Kirsten Andersen, kiad@cowi.com  
Published: 19.04.2007

COWI / Arup cooperation 

"The project is the first step towards a closer cooperation between Arup and COWI - a cooperation of which we have great expectations both nationally and internationally" says director Henrik Rossen.

Besides the project at the old brewery site, COWI and Arup are collaborating on three other tenders.

Cooperation will allow both companies to benefit from each others core competences and resources, and to be complementary on the local market.

LAST UPDATED: 12.04.2010