3XN creates star-shaped UN city for copenhagen

3XN creates star-shaped UN city for copenhagen
all images courtesy 3XN

the 3XN design for ‘UN city’ in copenhagen has just been inaugurated by the queen of denmark. the new office of the various agencies and functions of the united nations regional office is a consolidation of each independently working unit into a spoke-shaped design that reflects each arm of the institution. the building seeks to balance security and accessibility with an atrium that organizes the programming while providing ample natural light throughout the open-plan levels. the integration of green recreational areas, ample and rhythmic glazing and smartly composed networks of circulation articulate a building that is open and diplomatic rather than staunch and closed-off. a model of sustainability, the building is aiming to be LEED gold certified and is already one of the most energy efficient buildings in denmark, sporting less than 50 kilowatt hour per square meter annual energy consumption. 

the built space is compised of rather delicate volumes 

 the spoke-like forms create an inviting and bold mark on the waterfront site

the structure conveys security and diplomacy with a visually light material palette 

interiors are equally as sinuous 

warm wooden cladding creates rhythmic patterning on floors and interior volumes 

choice circulation conveys collaboration and movement 

 the atrium is the central space of exchange and activity

 various levels are connected by the gestural stair in the center atrium

project information:

address: marmormolen, 2100 copenhagen
client: by og havn A/S
function: office
gross floor area: 45,000 m2 and 7,000 m2 basement
year: 2013
3xn role: architect
3xn team: kim herforth nielsen, bo boje larsen, gry kjær, christian wamberg, peter feltendal, rune bech, eva hviid-nielsen, laila fyhn feldthaus, thomas lykke nielsen, pernille uglvig jessen, umut üsüdür
engineer: orbicon / leif hansen a/s // landscape architect: schønherr ks