Description

As a result of intense building activity in the vicinity of Copenhagen airport – including the new Øresund bridge and the airport extension for example – the demand for electrical power in the region increased. The transformer station is situated on a peninsula adjacent to the line to Sweden. The fact that it is visible from all sides and surrounded by different traffic arteries and thus perceived from non-static perspectives, determined the concept of the building. Accordingly, Gottlieb & Paludan have designed a nearly 20 m tall cylinder containing transformer compartments.

The transformer station’s transparent glazed façade consists of nearly 2,500 anodised glass panels, which are attached to the load-bearing in-situ concrete structure at 1.50 m intervals. The cavity between the façade and the structure ensures sufficient cooling of the transformers. Air supply and extract are provided via the openings between the glass panels, which overlap like shingles. Another factor promoting ventilation is the building height that creates a sort of stack effect. Behind the glazed façade, gridiron gangways are positioned for exterior access to individual technical rooms.

To the north, the building’s façade is split vertically over the entire height, highlighting the main entrance of the transformer station in an impressive way.

In cooperation with the architects the artist Ingvar Cronhammar developed the geometry and lighting design for the transparent building skin. The observer, passing by quickly in a car or on a train, conceives it in its changing forms of appearance. The outer edges of the glass panels are polished and glass fibre cables are fitted on the side. At night, the matt edge facing the concrete appears as a glowing line. In order to protect the installation from snow and birds, the entire façade had to be covered with an aluminum mesh.

Technical equipment as well as secondary spaces for employees are located on the upper floors, the latter affording views of the Øresund. All spaces have been arranged perpendicular to each other on the circular floor plans.

---

Originally published in: Jürgen Adam, Katharina Hausmann, Frank Jüttner, Industrial Buildings: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2004.