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Along the outdoor staircase, a variety of wind-tolerant trees, shrubs, perennials, and herbs—some of which are used in the studio’s canteen—soften the building’s concrete mass. The rooftop terrace, paved with sustainably sourced wood from a local sawmill, extends the natural theme, offering an inviting space where employees and guests can enjoy panoramic views of the city and harbour. At the building’s base, BIG’s Landscape team has transformed a former parking area into a 1,500-square-metre public park featuring native forest trees such as pines and oaks, among which lies a sculpture by American artist Benjamin Langholz, consisting of 40 stones arranged in a spiral form.
As expected, BIG’s new headquarters demonstrates strong environmental credentials, beginning with its pioneering use of Uni-Green concrete—a material developed with Unicon that reduces CO₂ emissions by roughly 25% compared to traditional concrete by replacing part of the cement clinker with calcined clay and lime filler. Moreover, the building is powered by a combination of solar and geothermal energy, covering 60% of its energy needs with renewables. Geothermal systems supply 84% of the building’s heat and all of its cooling, while natural ventilation supports passive climate control.
Blending structural ingenuity, environmental commitment, and contextual sensitivity, BIG’s new Copenhagen headquarters exemplifies the firm’s innovative approach to architecture, setting a new standard for sustainable and socially engaged design.