Designed by architect Nicolas Maugery, the Kobenhavn Student Center attempts to explore the impact of the development of a student housing project outside a campus. Located in a suburb of Kobenhavn, Denmark, doing so would allow a new daily life with the recreation of small shops and a new public building that creates a sense of cohesion between the generations. More images and architect’s description after the break.
The student residence is composed of 5 typical shaped houses with 2 and 3 floors, allowing 2 different kinds of studios: single bedroom and 2 peoples bedroom. If the shapes respect the traditional suburban area style, the fully wooden skin is clearly the mark of a contemporary building. To enhance connections and informal meetings between students, the first floor is like a base where a lot a different functions take place. Office spaces, Bike garage, an exhibition space managed by student association, a lobby and a leisure area.
This space also connects students with the neighborhood thanks to public facilities such as a small library, a restaurant/coffee, the exhibition space opened toward the street, and a small theatre/cinema. The intent is to connect different kinds of people with the students: older people, young parents with children, in order to create a lively area.
The last part of the project is this artificial relief as the green roof. Its surface is climbing from the upper left corner of the block to the south where the façade’s height approximately is 6 meters, creating an attractive signal for the main entry. This garden offers larges natural steps to host concerts or student events, and smaller and more intimate spaces thanks to the houses composition. At last the 2 patios creates a strong visual links between the 2 levels without compromising the residence private area.
Architect: Nicolas Maugery Location: Amager, Kobenhavn, Denmark Program: Student Housing and public equipements (shops, library, restaurant and public roof garden) Type: Finalist for the competition : Grand prix d’architecture de l’académie des Beaux arts Size: 9000m2 Year: 2011
