BIO4, Amager Power Station

BIO4, Amager Power Station

Description

As Copenhagen strives to become the world’s first carbon neutral capital by 2025, local utility company HOFOR highlights its transition away from coal with a bold and dynamic façade design at its new biomass-fired district heating power plant. As sustainably sourced wood chips is the fuel, the façade design refers to the forest which provides the wood for the fire that keeps Copenhageners warm. This is done by wrapping the unit in a six meter deep curtain of suspended tree trunks, creating the appearance of a dense forest. A forest planting scheme across the entire power plant site also stems from the link to the remote woods.


Statement of the jury

Copenhagen has set itself the ambitious goal of becoming the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. This includes, above all, transitioning away from coal-fired power to sustainable regenerative energies – a disruptive transformation that the local energy supplier HOFOR is making visible from afar with an unusual façade cladding for its district heating plant. Vertically arranged tree trunks create a six-metre-deep curtain enveloping the entire building whose sculptural aesthetics give the impression of a dense forest and thus refer to the use of wood chips as biomass. This is already impressive by day and particularly atmospheric at night as the structure is additionally illuminated by a fascinating greenish light. This both amazing and inspiring installation clearly shows that Copenhagen is serious about its climate goals.

Gold

Excellent Architecture
Architecture

Company/Client