MVRDV and ADEPT complete community center in copenhagen to encourage an active lifestyle

MVRDV and ADEPT have completed ‘KuBe’, an activities hub in copenhagen that explores the themes of culture, health, and movement. facilitating both fixed and spontaneous programs, the building serves as a community space that focuses on developing a healthy lifestyle. internally, main volumes determine specific activities, while voids have been left without a defined use to let users interpret them in different ways. activity spills out into the community as a garden, which offers a variety of interactive environments.

all images by adam mørk

designed by dutch studio MVRDV and danish firm ADEPT, the 3,200 square meter ‘house of culture in movement’ was completed for the municipality of frederiksberg as a focal point for both the immediate community, and also the wider area of copenhagen. the architects claim that the project is a new typology, blending theater, sport, and learning programs within a space that promotes an active lifestyle, regardless of age, ability or interest.

KuBe’s six primary volumes, each with their own program, take on a unique color and material. this clearly defines them within the building, while from outside these shapes are hinted at in the fragmented tile façade. ‘we designed KuBe to encourage the unexpected,’ explains MVRDV co-founder jacob van rijs. ‘larger volumes are suited to hold performances or public meetings, smaller ones can be for exhibitions or debates. the fast-pace rooms are perfect for dance, or parkour; and zen rooms give you the contrast of yoga or meditation. it’s between these volumes where the real fun will happen though; spaces where we hint at a use, but which will become entirely user-defined.’

the primary route through the building focuses on developing and encouraging alternate forms of movement. this labyrinth includes a three dimensional network of cubes between the second and third levels, a vertical maze, and a net which spans several storeys — allowing users to climb from floor to floor. slides and fireman poles offer a fast way to get back down. external gardens offer a diverse landscape with a system of microclimates that feature changing sounds, lights, and scents.

‘in KuBe we tried to turn your average experience of a building on its head,’ adds ADEPT co-founder martin krogh. ‘what would otherwise be a simple, mindless journey through the building turns into an exploration and discovery of movement. here it’s you that defines the route, however you want: climbing, sliding, crawling… jumping.’ by becoming an extension of frederiksberg’s urban landscape, the ‘house of culture and movement’ looks to catalyze further development within the neighborhood.

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project info:

location: frederiksberg, denmark
year: 2009 – 2016
client: municipality of frederiksberg, danish foundation for culture and sport facilities (LOA) and realdania foundation
size & program: community center with exhibition spaces, performance hall, health center, library, study areas, sports hall, yoga zone, café (school), kitchen, play zone, retail, offices, parking, playground and public park.
budget: undisclosed
design team: winy maas, jacob van rijs and nathalie de vries with fokke moerel, mette rasmussen, julius kirchert, klaas hofman, francisco pomares, armor gutierrez rivas, buster christensen, attilio ranieri, chris green, kate van heusen, henryk struski, emanuela gioffreda, raymond van den broek, sanne van der burgh, karl johan nyquist, maria lopez and kasper albrektsen
architects: MVRDV, rotterdam and ADEPT, copenhagen
landscape architect: SLA, copenhagen
engineering & costing: søren jensen, aarhus, denmark
M & E: max fordham, edinburgh
movement and play consultant: jens ole jensen

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