BIG Architects Wins International Competition for Iconic Waste to Energy Plant

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(COPENHAGEN, DENMARK) -- Once again, the BIG architectural firm has won an international tender against major competitors, this time to deliver an energy plant that converts waste into power. That might be enough in itself, but the plant to be built in Copenhagen, Denmark, will also create a ski slope and other popular entertainment opportunities at the same time that it adds an iconic structure to the city's skyline. Everything is slated to be ready in five years.

Located in an industrial area near the city center, the new waste-to-energy plant will be an exemplary model in the field of waste management and energy production. The project is the single largest environmental initiative in Denmark with a budget of $648 million, and replaces the adjacent 40 year old Amagerforbraending plant, integrating the latest technologies in waste treatment and environmental performance.

BIG won over Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Dominique Perrault Architecture, 3xN, Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, and Gottlieb Paludan Architects who were short listed to compete out of 36 international proposals in Fall 2010. The winning team was announced by panel of judges whose decision was unanimous.

"BIG's proposal contributes to the city with something useful and beautiful. We see this creating a lot of opportunities and with this unique building, we can brand the Danish knowledge and technology to show the world our abilities within environmental and energy issues," said Ulla Röttger, Director of Amagerforbraending

Possibly behind BIG's win is that instead of considering the new Amagerforbraending as an isolated architectural object, the building is conceived as a destination in itself, reflecting the progressive vision of a new type of waste treatment facility.

The roof of the new Amagerforbraending will be used as a 31,000 square meter ski slope with runs for varying skill levels. Residents of Copenhagen, neighboring municipalities, and visitors will be able to use the ski area which means that BIG will have succeeded in redefining the relationship between the waste plant and the city - by expanding the existing recreational activities in the surrounding area into a new breed of waste-to-energy plant.

"The new plant is an example of what we at BIG call Hedonistic Sustainability - the idea that sustainability is not a burden, but that a sustainable city in fact can improve our quality of life. The waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope is the best example of a city and a building which is both ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable," explained Bjarke Ingels Founder and Partner, BIG

As could be expected in a structure that is intended to be sustainable, the ski slope itself is ecological using a recycled synthetic granular surface, contrary to the convention that an indoor ski resort has to be energy intensive.

Access to the slopes is via an elevator along the plant's smokestack, providing views into the plant, giving glimpses of its internal workings, and finally reaching an observation platform 100 meters above the ground, giving sightseers an unobstructed view from one of the tallest structures in Copenhagen.

While all of this is going on, the smokestack will emit a signal of smoke rings 30 meters in diameter whenever one ton of fossil CO2 is released. The smoke rings which are the brainchild of Germany-based art studio realities:united will form as a result of the condensation of water in the flue gases as they slowly rise and cool.

The rings will serve as a reminder of the impact of consumption and a measuring stick that will allow the average resident of Copenhagen to understand CO2 emission. So the smokestack is turned into a symbol of the future instead of the traditional symbol of the industrial era.

Most people in most cities tend to wince when they see smoke rising from a stack and imagine more pollution. Here the rings will be a positive signal. But even that isn't all. At night, the smoke rings will become glowing works of art thanks to heat tracking lights that aim lasers at the smoke rings.

"Designing a façade for a building is like wrapping a gift without having to consider its content. Instead of concentrating on the wrapping paper, we have instead invested our energy on creating a gift for the citizens of Copenhagen and its visitors, no matter if they are adults or children, professionals, or beginners. I can't wait to ski on a base of clean and green energy with a view over the city in 2016," said David Zahle, Partner & Project Leader, BIG.

From a distance, the entire building is wrapped in a vertical green façade formed by planter modules stacked like bricks, making it seem like a mountain. The surrounding topography will be sculpted by Topotek 1 and Man Made Land to form a park which offers sport activities in summer and winter. Along its western border a field of hills will mimic a mogul piste or ski run. A path system throughout the park links the whole site and creates good connections to the neighboring residential area.

 

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