BIG’s new headquarters

BIG’s new headquarters, completed in spring 2024 at the tip of Sundmolen in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, is a 4,488 m², seven storey building that reflects the studio’s integrated LEAPP approach, combining landscape, engineering, architecture, planning, and product design. Set within a former industrial harbor environment, the building reinterprets maritime heritage through contemporary design and innovative construction methods.

The project is notable for its pioneering use of Uni-Green concrete, developed in collaboration with Unicon, which replaces part of traditional cement clinker with calcined Clay and lime filler, achieving an estimated 25% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional concrete. Designed to meet DGNB Gold standards, the headquarters integrates solar and geothermal energy systems, enabling approximately 60% reliance on renewable energy and covering the majority of heating and all cooling demands.

Architecturally, the building is defined by open, interconnected spaces, a dramatic central staircase, and a unique structural concept relying on a single load bearing stone column. An exterior staircase spirals around the façade, functioning both as circulation and as an additional fire escape, while providing outdoor terraces on every floor.

At ground level, the project extends into the public realm with a 1,500 m² landscape park inspired by Danish coastal nature, enhancing biodiversity and offering recreational space. Together, the headquarters and surrounding landscape demonstrate BIG’s ambition to merge sustainability, innovative materials, and social engagement into a cohesive architectural statement.

Read the entire article in Finnish and see the images >>