bjarke ingels group and HHF reveal multi-functional 'puzzle house' in copenhagen

danish architect bjarke ingels and swiss architect simon frommenwiler have teamed up to design a multi-functional social installation called ‘puzzle house’. presented at the embassy of switzerland in denmark, the project forms part of the embassy’s architecture in residence (AiR) program — a platform that seeks to strengthen the relations between danish and swiss architects, architecture schools, and manufacturers from the building industry.

‘puzzle house’ has been conceived as a multi-functional social installation
image © kaspar würgler (also main image)

open to the public during 3daysofdesign — from may 23-25, 2019 — ‘puzzle house’ has been created by bjarke ingels, founder of BIG, and simon frommenwiler, a founding partner of HHF. the duo’s design comprises a series of interlocking elements, which can either be used individually or combined to create a wide variety of configuration.

visitors are invited to interact with the installation
image © kaspar würgler

when flipped on their sides, the components can also act as wind barriers or partitions to delineate spaces for various group activities. importantly, the design seeks to encourage social interaction as most of the elements need to be carried by more than one person in order to be moved. as part of the same event, the swiss designer and architect charles job has curated an exhibition titled ‘ambassadors of creative innovation’, which is shown at the swiss ambassador’s residence.

the project is presented at the embassy of switzerland in denmark
image © HHF

the scheme comprises a series of interlocking elements
image © kaspar würgler

the components can either be used individually, or combined
image © kaspar würgler

when flipped on their sides, the units can also act as wind barriers or partitions
image © kaspar würgler

‘puzzle house’ is presented until may 25, 2019
image © kaspar würgler

project info:

name: puzzle house
design team: BIG + HHF
location: embassy of switzerland, richelieus alle 14, 2900 hellerup
opening hours: thursday 23 may: 10.00 – 18.00; friday 24 may: 10.00 – 18.00; saturday 25 may: 10.00 – 17.00