sneak peek into BIG/bjarke ingels' new HQ in copenhagen, set for completion this fall

BIG/Bjarke Ingels’ new headquarters in Copenhagen

BIG/Bjarke Ingels Group offers a glimpse into their new headquarters in Copenhagen, set for completion this autumn. The design process began six years ago, in 2017, focusing on connecting the building to the neighborhood’s industrial history and maritime infrastructure. Occupying an area of around 4,800 sqm, the building aims to achieve DGNB Gold certification, awarded by the German Sustainable Building Council for high sustainability standards.

To support sustainability, the project incorporates Uni-Green, a novel concrete developed collaboratively by BIG and Unicon. This material offers a CO2 reduction of around 25%, resulting in a low CO2 footprint of 11.3kg CO2 eq/m2/year. The comprehensive design effort, led by BIG LEAPP (BIG’s Landscape, Engineering, Architecture, Planning, and Product teams), encompasses every aspect, from small details like door handles to significant elements like the 20-meter-long concrete beams and glass facades. Meanwhile, renewable energy sources, including solar and geothermal systems, contribute to a 60% reliance on renewable energy for the headquarters.

images ©Marcus Mørk & Corentin Haubruge

A Piranesian Space

When guests and employees enter BIG/Bjarke Ingels Group‘s building, they step into a space reminiscent of Piranesi’s architectural style. The interior offers diagonal vistas that extend all the way up to the top floor. At the heart of the space, a single stone column constructed from six distinct types of rock, provides structural support, transitioning from dense granite at the base to solid marble at the top. The bold geometry and expansive glazed openings form an interplay of light and shadows. This interaction enhances the dramatic effect further, inviting movement and exploration.

An open staircase traverses each level, creating a lively connection from the ground floor to the top. Each floor grants direct access to a balcony, seamlessly linked to the balconies above and below, forming a continuous outdoor pathway spanning 140 meters. This spiraling ribbon of outdoor spaces resembles a mountain path leading from the rooftop to the quayside.

Below, watch a brief overview of the exterior shared in an Instagram post by the studio.