Under The Crystal

Location: Hambrosgade, Copenhagen, Denmark
Client: Nykredit
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Hanne Bruun Møller, Signe Hertzum, Malin Blomquist
Collaborators: Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Design phase: 2005-2007
Construction: 2007-2011
Area: 5,500 m2

At the boundary between the new harbour front and the old town of Copenhagen Nykredit is creating a unique building, 'Crystal', and a sensory public space, 'Under The Crystal'.

SLA is responsible for designing the urban space, which continues the axial composition of the area and assembles the surrounding buildings.

In Denmark the sun only shines for a third of the year, so Sky must be a public space that changes with the weather. This will give the city’s residents the opportunity to experience the weather, with light, wind, and cloud as events that challenge the senses and create new attractions.

Trickling walls of vertical water jets divide the plaza into changing spaces and create areas for resting and letting out energy. When the walls of water on the square are turned off and on in interplay with the wind, changing water shapes are created.

The changing cloud cover of the sky is reflected in a pool with fleeting glimpses of passers-by and the surrounding architecture.

At night the reflecting pool is lit by weak diode lights, which transforms the space with a lightly quivering light that changes from turquoise to green. The warm stripes of light from the street lamps create a distinctive and safe urban space.

As the seasons change the water and light elements create a sensory urban space that will rouse couriosity.

Photos: Jens Lindhe