BIG Deal 2

In the first part of the text we introduced you to two of  Bjarke Ingels projects, done with studio PLOT, both located in the central zone of the new south suburb of Copenhagen. In this second part of the text we present a mixed use development –  the 8 House, the newest built work of studio BIG in this series. The 8 House is situated at the very edge of South Ørestada, behind which there is a vast flat grass landscape of Denmark and the sea.

Firstly, this project impresses with its size and the complexity of its form. In plan, the building is shaped like the number 8 with two large, publicly accessible, inner courtyards. These courtyards differ in their landscaping, with specific attractive features, and in their atmosphere and light quality, which is due to the geometry of the building itself.

What sets this complex apart from similar atrium forms are the changes in height and number of levels of the building. Additional to providing better sunlight and views, these height changes also allow the creation of public and semi-public pedestrian pathways on the edges of the 8-House. These pathways allow you to explore the complex form of the building not just visually but also physically – by walking through it. Paths start from the ground level, i.e. the courtyard level, and lead to the top, i.e. the roof of the building, along its outer edge from where the surrounding can be seen, or along the inner edge from where the geometry of the building and the courtyards create interesting views.

A walk through the building reveals its complex physical structure and form, as well as the structure and profile of its inhabitants. The inner street, lined with small terraces, allows unobstructed views into apartment interiors, thanks to the lack of curtains or shades on Danish windows. Baby carriages, toys and other equipment can be seen on most terraces and around the building, leading to the conclusion that the majority of this development’s inhabitants are young couples with kids.

The network of pedestrian paths, stairs and passages allows the dwellers to have a different perspective on their living unit. In a conventional building they live in an apartment on the n-th floor with no direct contact with the ground or the community around them, while in the 8-House they can step out to a public surface almost directly from their living room. The architect’s intention was to create a sense of community and belonging characteristic for small towns with family houses, while still maintaining a high density and urban living conditions. Thanks to this the whole complex seams self-reliant: it allows for apartment diversity, and also includes offices, a cafe, restaurant, grocery store, child care and all other auxiliary  programs inherent to a housing complex.

Besides all obvious advantages and the architects’ good intentions, this innovative form also has a few flaws. The complex geometry caused a complex bearing structure, and the height changes that allow pedestrians to climb up to the roof, create complicated solutions in the interior space and prevent the establishment of a clear simple floor level.

A very specific problem, unpredictable during the design phase, is created by the multitude of visitors who come to tour this extraordinary example of housing architecture. Moving freely on public paths, the building’s inner streets, they often invade the residents’ privacy by entering their private, although only partially fenced, terraces. This made it necessary to post warning notices about the rules of conduct of visitors on the most frequented parts of the building, as well as on its website. Additionally, some of the residents protected their property physicaly, blocking the entrance to the terraces, which actually denies one the main motives of the 8-House living concept.

Text and photos: Milena Zindović


MZ
27-Nov-2012

Architects, Architecture, BIG, Copenhagen, Housing

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