2_1_ScanMag_69_Oct_2014_Text:Scan Magazine 1
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture Denmark
project and budget management. They received the 2014 Renovation Prize in Architecture for exemplary use of sustainable and added energy measures. One of their current projects, Langkærparken, has awakened a special passion. Langkærparken is a section of 35 blocks of multi-story row houses in Tilst, just 10 kilometres away from Aarhus. This design of row houses is called the South-Jutland plan and there were a total of 16,000 in all built in 1969-1971. This development, like many of that period in time, is plagued by the degradation of the existing concrete “sandwich façades” with consequent building damage. In these buildings there are 860 homes. This pilot project of an ambitious energy renovation and refurbishment campaign began with an investment of 24.6 million DKK (almost 2.6 million British Pounds). Due to the success of the initial plans, Nova5 Architects have subsequently been granted the rest of the project, including all of the 860 homes. The project motto is “social housing battling climate change”. One of the tasks now is to renovate the existing buildings in order to help prevent unnecessary energy waste. Simple and practical things will be enhanced, like the windows, heating system, and building insulation. Involving residents: togetherness and personal responsibility The 2000 current residents of Langkærparken are involved in the renovation process as well. As they remain in their homes during the construction, they are able to watch the daily progress firsthand. The architects also host multiple workshops at strategic moments in the building timeline in order to share ideas
and knowledge with the residents, which promotes a cohesive environment of togetherness and personal responsibility. This offers residents the opportunity to upgrade their buildings to meet the energy performance demands of the future, while elevating the neighbourhood to a higher architectural standard. “Living up to the energy performance demands of the future requires state-of-the-art design and construction processes. Living in an iconic building tends to make the people living there more responsible and committed, resulting in a safer environment with lower crime rates,” Claus Gade explains. “Renovating existing concrete houses is not only an economic benefit for the tenants. The environmental impacts of demolishing and rebuilding are by far more extensive than carrying out a well-planned sustainable renovation,” Thomas Dahl continues. Once completed, not only will Lankærparken be an ecologically sound, green structure, but due to the lower energy usage, the residents will be pleased to discover much lower heating and electric bills. Another benefit of such a project is that it provides a safer community. Crime rates tend to drop due to a larger sense of ownership among tenants. Once the project is completed, it will be used as a model for similar building renovation projects internationally. Just as Danish architect Jørn Utzon will be forever remembered for his revolutionary Sydney Opera House, the team at Nova5 Architects hope to be remembered, even if not by name, for improving the global climate situation.
In the Albertslund Sud renovation, Nova5 Architects not only provided the neighbourhood with a greener building, but an extra pop of colour.
- Nova5 Architects was formed on 1 January 1994. - Nova5 Architects design and manage both private and public residential and commercial projects. - Nova5 Architects use the newest digital software available including Revit, AutoCAD, and they gladly provide 3D models to better communicate their vision and understand their client’s needs.
Address: Sankt Annæ Passage G, 1262 København K
For more information, please visit: www.nova5.dk
The Langkærparken project, for which Nova5 Architects received the Aarhus City award for renovation in 2013, promises to be an ideal model for similar renovation projects internationally.
Issue 69 | October 2014 | 49