Submitted by WA Contents

Kalvebod West

United Kingdom Architecture News - Nov 17, 2014 - 16:45   5406 views

Kalvebod West

NORD Presents an Alternative Ørestad

The Ørestad Plan of 1994 sparked an ongoing discourse on the key role urban design plays in the development of a vibrant, diverse and active society – where people are the city’s currency and the city acts as a framework for life.

Along with Holscher Nordberg, PK3, Schulze + Grassov and Exometric, NORD Architects innovative proposal for Kalvebod West sought to create a bottom up development plan, where neighborhoods were based on the close and intimate qualities of daily life – the small scale, whilst at the same time functioned on an overall level, creating a connected, robust and flexible framework for future economic, social and climatic conditions to thrive.

Kalvebod West

The master plan was composed of a rich patchwork that created 9 compact neighborhoods or ‘worlds’ – where the streets, buildings and  meeting places were designed for the human scale. Each of the ‘9 Worlds’ has a distinct identity, which is reflected in the planning, density, architecture, landscape and atmosphere – attracting a diverse cross section of society.

Kalvebod West

Excerpt from the jury report: ‘The plan presents a very captivating and engaging picture of a new Ørestad Syd, consisting of many different neighborhoods and built typologies, along with a great deal of height and density variation. The proposal embraces the transition from perimeter block to open city,  creating many ideals and qualities that will develop over time, presenting an attractive, intimate and charming alternative to many of the buildings and planning proposals that have been realized in Copenhagen since the war.’

Kalvebod West

The plan is punctuated by shared green and active programs that connect people and promote an urban lifestyle that captures the benefits of living close to nature. Kalvebod West lies on the edge of the Fælled, a reclaimed and protected nature reserve 5 km from Inner Copenhagen. The opportunity for future residents to live next to nature, whilst still connected to the inner city, airport and work places by the metro network and bicycle infrastructure is a unique and desirable living condition in Copenhagen.

NORD Architects proposal focused on increasing pedestrian accessibility and bringing the landscape into the neighbourhoods – implementing a strategy where the landscape was not only something to look at, it was something to inhabit.

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

Kalvebod West

All Images © NORD Architects

Project Facts

Location:Ørestad Syd, Denmark

Client:By & Havn

Program:Masterplan

Size:325,000 m2

Status:Concluded, invited competition

Architects:NORD + Holscher Nordberg

Landscape:PK3 + Schulze & Grassov

Consultants:Exometric

> via NORD Architects