A considered transformation from residential property to multi-user building
After a thorough building analysis and careful renovation with a view to minimising its carbon footprint, an otherwise abandoned office building on Njalsgade in Copenhagen is buzzing with life again.
In many ways, the story of Njalsgade 72 in Copenhagen is reminiscent of H.C. Andersen’s tale of the ugly duckling: an unsightly and abandoned office building that, despite its relatively short lifespan, had been left to decay. Until the day it was acquired by a German private equity fund, that is. Then, Over Byen Arkitekter was tasked with breathing new life into the seven floors so that they could once again unleash their full potential and fill the space with life.
Today, the revitalised building is a welcoming multi-user space with many qualities. This is thanks largely to a considered renovation spearheaded by Over Byen Arkitekter.
Based on a thorough building analysis, they came up with a well thought-out plan to bring the building back to life. As Esben Thorlacius, partner at Over Byen Arkitekter, explains:
" It was important for us to choose solutions that would make the building more vibrant and welcoming. That's why we’ve created more life on the ground floor of the building without compromising its origins."
Few interventions, big impact
In addition to analysing the building, a technical inspection was also carried out prior to the start of the renovation to clarify the possibilities for energy efficiency and potential DGNB certification.
"From the very first screenings, we've had a DGNB auditor on board to help identify which opportunities the building offered. This was analysed against the project’s finances and, based on this, we set a realistic goal for DGNB certification at Gold level," says Esben Thorlacius.
In order to achieve both efficiency and certification, Over Byen Arkitekter worked with as few interventions in the existing building as possible to save resources. Among other things, they carefully renovated the toilet facilities and kitchens, painted the walls in a greyish tone to match the existing cable trays and radiators, and treated the existing floors instead of replacing them with new ones.
"We work a lot with existing properties and know what weighs heavily both financially and in terms of the carbon footprint when renovating. Floors and radiators drain a lot from both 'budgets', so if we can maintain them, we save a lot and then we can fight other battles elsewhere," explains Esben Thorlacius.
Painted ceilings contribute positively to the carbon footprint
One of the places where new installations have been necessary is around the toilet facilities. New Troldtekt acoustic ceilings based on the cement type FUTURECEM™ were installed here, painted in green colours to match the rest of the building's colour palette.
"In large parts of the building, we were able to keep the existing ceilings, but here they needed changing. Troldtekt-based FUTURECEM was an obvious solution, because the panels fulfil the requirements we had for the building," says Esben Thorlacius and continues:
"At the same time, acoustic ceilings have a look that suits office environments and a clean surface that creates beautiful transitions in the room. And what's really smart is that you can paint them just the way you want so that they blend in naturally with their surroundings.
The newly furnished canteen also features white-painted Troldtekt acoustic ceilings based on FUTURECEM.
FUTURECEM is a type of cement with a proportion of calcined clay and limestone filler that provides a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional cement. The painted Troldtekt acoustic panels based on FUTURECEM have a carbon footprint that is 34 per cent lower over the entire product life cycle than for painted Troldtekt panels based on traditional white cement.
Respect for the past and the future
Over Byen Arkitekter specialises in working with existing properties. Over the years, they have seen an increasing interest and willingness from both clients and customers to move in a more climate-friendly direction when renovating.
" Thinking about carbon reduction has long been an integral part of our three-pronged strategy. We look with equal respect at the history of the building, the sustainability potential of the building and the people who will be using the building – and if we don't get these three parts right, we won't succeed with the project. Our customers are also increasingly buying into this agenda," says Esben Thorlacius.
That is why he also advocates setting expectations early in the process, so that both new builds and transformations are carried out with an eye to the past and future and with minimal resource consumption.
Esben Thorlacius, partner at Over Byen Arkitekter
