Photo: 3XNIELSEN

Middelfart Savings Bank - new head office, Denmark 

Middelfart Savings Bank are to build a new head office in Middelfart on the western part of Funen. 3XN architects have designed a commercial building, which due to its large, sloping roof surface and unusual geometry is quite unique.

Financial institute, shops and café will be assembled under the same outstanding roof structure when Middelfart Savings Bank in the spring of 2009 inaugurates their new head office on the waterfront in Middelfart.

The roof structure is designed as a large, sloping surface, which is lowest towards the waterfront. The roof surface comprises row upon row of small skylights or prisms, which accentuate the level of daylight in the building and provide full visibility over the Little Belt from all floors in the building.

At the international property market MIPIM 2006, the project received a "MIPIM Future Project Award", which is awarded to innovative building projects from all over the world.

Savings bank and market place in one

The complex comprises 5,000 m2 in three levels and in addition to the various savings bank functions the project contains a covered "market place" with shops and café.

The banks' customer services are located on the ground floor as an integral part of the market place while the administrative functions are located on upper floor terraces, which are in open contact to the market place below.

Photo: 3XNIELSEN

Engineering challenges

COWI is overall engineering consultant for the project and shall prepare an energy concept for the building. COWI is also responsible for, among other disciplines, fire and acoustical engineering and the indoor climate.

The buildings' innovative roof structure and the resulting large open spaces provide a special challenge in the development of a technical solution, which is optimal for both building owner and the great diversity of users:

"The challenge lies not least in the preparation of an optimal energy concept, which is in accordance with the new demands to energy consumption in buildings. In order to keep consumption down we contemplate using thermo active slabs, which can cool the building during the summer months" explains the project manager, Reto Michael Hummelshøj.