Dortheavej, named after its address in the northwestern part of Copenhagen, is a five-story building that winds through an area characterized by car shops, storage buildings, and industrial facilities from the 1930s-1950s. The Bjarke Ingels Group-designed, $9.8 million multifamily building provides 66 low-income units across approximately 73,000 sf.
Dortheavej’s architectural checkered pattern is based on a singular prefab structure. The building, which is conceived as a porous wall, gently curves toward the center to create space for a public plaza towards the street on the south side and a green courtyard towards the north. The building opens up on the street level to allow the residents and general public to pass into the courtyard.
See Also: Newark’s first luxury residential tower in nearly 60 years officially opens
Housing modules are stacked to the height of the surrounding buildings. The stacking creates additional space for each apartment to have a small terrace. Units range from approximately 645 sf to 1,230 sf and are equipped with 11-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. BIG kept the materials simple, primarily using wood and concrete.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshoj.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshoj.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshoj.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshoj.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jun 28, 2017
Renters don’t just want nice apartments; they want communities packed with amenities
Based on a survey from the National Apartment Association, the most popular amenities are the ones that bring the community together.
Fire and Life Safety | Jun 22, 2017
After testing, seven tower blocks found to have similar cladding as Grenfell Tower
These blocks will undergo further testing to determine if they are safe.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 20, 2017
Coliving apartments look to fill affordability and availability gaps for urban workers
One provider, Common, emphasizes community in its buildings.
Market Data | Jun 16, 2017
Residential construction was strong, but not enough, in 2016
The Joint Center for Housing Studies’ latest report expects minorities and millennials to account for the lion’s share of household formations through 2035.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 7, 2017
Jersey Strong: Local suppliers step in to help renovate a homeless shelter in the Garden State
American Standard and Philips Lighting donate products and manpower.
Resiliency | Jun 7, 2017
New disaster-resilient infrastructure building and upgrades hope to keep Haven Plaza up and running
The affordable housing complex was hit hard during Hurricane Sandy, leaving residents without electricity or water.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 7, 2017
Multifamily visionary: The life and work of architect David Baker
For 35 years, architect David Baker has been a spirited voice for affordable housing, in San Francisco and beyond.
Wood | Jun 6, 2017
Shigeru Ban-designed residential structure poised to become world’s tallest hybrid timber building
The wood, concrete, and glass building will rise approximately 233 feet when finished.
Multifamily Housing | May 25, 2017
Luxury residential tower is newest planned addition to The Star in Frisco
The building will be within walking distance to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters.