3XN wins competition for new Frederiksberg Courthouse in Denmark

Exterior © 3XN

Danish office 3XN is “on fire” this year: they won the competition for the Randers Museum of Art, the competition for  a new cultural  center in Aarhus, the Saxo Bank won the RIBA International Award, and Kim Herforth Nielsen (partner and founder) received Denmark’s highest Architectural Honour, the C.F. Hansen Medal.

And now, they won the competition for the Frederiksberg Courthouse in Denmark, an extension to a neo-classical building. The new building follows the line of the neighborhood’s architecture, reinterpreted in a contemporary style, following the horizontal lines, materials and roof.

From the public square right next to the building, the heavy volume looks lighter as the opening in the corner give a sense of cantilevering.

More images and the architect’s description after the break:

The new Courthouse will be a natural extension of the existing neo-classical building, yet still maintaining its own identity through a modern and contemporary expression. The building design is therefore composed with clear references to the architectural style of the refined neighborhood of Frederiksberg. The form of the structure is both classic and dynamic – standing as a modern interpretation of the classical saddle style roof.

Exterior © 3XN

The interior of the courthouse focuses on compliance with the law reform’s requirements on security and internal segregations in the building. Therefore, the building provides its employees, the defendants, witnesses and guests an open and friendly environment in which it is easy for the different user groups to navigate. A small atrium cuts through the middle of the building; drawing light deep into the interior creating an open and airy connection across departments. This creates the feeling of direct daylight in the rooms and gives a general lightness to the building’s inner core, meeting the visitors as they come up from the foyer.

Interior © 3XN

The Courthouse is expected for completion during the first half of 2012.

Model © 3XN

Address: Howitzvej, Frederiksberg, DK
Client: Slots- og Ejendomsstyrelsen
Award: 1. prize in invited competition 2009
Area: 5,000 m2
Budget: EUR 25 m
Architect: 3XN
Engineer: Lemming & Eriksson
Landscape Architect: Schønherr Landskab