ARC – Amager Ressource Centre, Copenhagen

Client Amagerforbraending, Dänemark
Architects BIG Architects, Kopenhagen
Planning 2011-2014
Execution 2015-2016
Construction cost ca. 25 Mio. Fr.
Services Façade:
Design phase
Tender documentation phase
Photo R. Schilling
Awards P/a Progressive Architecture Awards 2015 (Citation)
Ar Mipim Future Projects Awards 2012 - Special Award
ArchDaily Award Building of the Year 2020
Architizer A+ Award 2020 (Popular Choice)
Iconic Award 2020
Publication Fassade mit Tiefenwirkung
Topics Industry/tradeSportFacadesStructural steelwork

The Amager Ressource Centre (ARC) is a waste to energy plant that is economically, environmentally and socially profitable. It intensifies the relationship between the district Amager and the city center and makes it more interesting by expanding the range of leisure time activities provided. Due to its size and characteristic façade the ARC is going to be a new landmark in Copenhagen.

Due to the large façade area, the optimization of the aluminum structure was crucial. It was achieved mainly by using finite element analysis in combination with real tests carried out in Horw at the HSLU. Another important task was the thermal optimization of the building envelope. The façade system was being designed according to its specific demands, all in collaboration with suppliers and manufacturers.

The entire information exchange process between architects and the other specialised planners was based on a 3D model. The design in a 3D workspace offered a great opportunity to detect conflicts in an early project stage.