UN City – 3XN Architects – Copenhagen, Denmark

UN City – 3XN Architects – Denmark

Architect: 3XN Architects

3XN team: Kim Herforth Nielsen, Bo Boje Larsen, Gry Kjær, Christian Wamberg, Peter Feltendal, Rune Bech, Eva Hviid-Nielsen, Laila Fyhn Feldthaus, Thomas Lykke Nielsen, Pernille Uglvig Jessen, Umut Üsüdür

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Year: 2013

Prizes: ”Green Building Award 2012” awarded by The European Commission

Client: By og Havn A/S

Function: Office

Gross Floor Area: 44,000 m2 and 7,000 m2 basement

Partners: Engineer: Orbicon / Leif Hansen A/S // Landscape architect: Schønherr KS

Delivering as One

 Bringing together the various agencies and functions of the United Nations regional offices in Copenhagen the new Head Office is located at the northern harbour of Copenhagen. 3XN’s star shaped design reflects the nature of each UN unit working independently, efficiently and professionally with a clearly rooted in a mutual set of values – Delivering as One.

Balancing Openness and Security

 High security and accessibility standards have been central considerations in the design of the new Head Office. The UN City must live up to the most stringent requirements, providing a protected and safe environment, while at the same time appearing open and accommodating to the city. It has therefore been a key part of the design to ensure that the high security level does become the dominating feeling when entering the building. Instead security and openness should be experienced as two aspects of the same coin.

 The atrium is the centre of daily life offering visual and physical connections across floors and units in a space full of natural daylight and a central staircase. All office levels have an open and flexible layout permitting interaction as well as individual immersion. Work stations are ensured plenty of daylight and a good indoor climate.

Sustainability at all Levels

 The work environment is further improved by an overall health policy including green recreational areas and a number of sustainable features. Hence, the UN City is expected to become one of Denmark’s most energy efficient buildings with an annual energy consumption of less than 50 KwH per m2 The UN City is registered with the LEED sustainability ratings system with the certification goal of minimum LEED® Gold.