image © Henning Larsen Architects

Henning Larsen Architects will lead a design team in establishing an overall solution for the renewal of buildings, courtyards, and streetscapes in a selected residential block of Skt. Kjelds Climate Resilient Neighbourhood in Østerbro.

The competition for Copenhagen Climate Resilient Neighbourhood was won with a proposal that will serve as a future “showcase” of holistic and sustainable approaches to urban renewal while opening possibilities for realising the objectives of a sustainable and climate-friendly Copenhagen.In addition to Henning Larsen Architects, the winning team also includes Henrik Larsen consulting engineers, TagTomat and V!GØR.

image © Henning Larsen Architects

“Copenhagen Climate Resilient Neighbourhood will, as a flagship project, demonstrate how a holistic and innovative approach to renovation and rainwater management can create a better living environment and courtyard atmosphere in a typical residential block. The designated block in Skt. Kjelds neighbourhood will therefore become a climate-frontrunner, implementing new solutions that can inspire other blocks—not only in Copenhagen but also in the many northern European cities where blocks of courtyard buildings are a dominant type of housing," says Signe Kongebro, architect and partner at Henning Larsen Architects.

image © Henning Larsen Architects

The project reflects a holistic approach with focus on energy retrofitting, climate adaption, architecture and daylight. From start to finish, the execution of the project will be implemented in close dialogue with Copenhagen Municipality and especially the residents and the building owners in the block. 

image © Henning Larsen Architects

The project is based on four main strategic focus points: rainwater management; increasing recreational space by reconfiguring parking and introducing green areas; strengthening of the neighbourhood’s identity with community gathering points; and, optimisation of existing buildings in terms of energy consumption, daylight and indoor climate.

image © Henning Larsen Architects

Workshops will kick-start the sustainable urban renewal process wherein the team, in close and innovation-driven dialogue with residents and the municipality, will begin the transformation from traditional residential block to a climate-resilient neighbourhood. Throughout the project, physical prototypes, exhibitions, mock-ups, and other visual tools will contribute to give the residents a realistic insight into the transformation of their block and keep the process alive and relevant.

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