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Bredgade 40
In 1954-58, the insurance company Baltica erected a completely modern building at Bredgade 40 in central Copenhagen, designed by the architect Svenn Eske Kristensen (1905-2000). The building is worthy of preservation, however the original modernist interior has since been lost due to several alterations over the years. Elgaard Architecture has refurbished and developed the building on behalf of Jeudan A/S, who owns the property. The client wished to increase the flexibility of the property, and ensure a multi-user functionality, with flexible office spaces as well as commerce spaces and an extended foyer on the ground floor. The building has been upgraded to meet modern standards while at the same time the original 1950s design qualities and characteristics of the interiors have been reestablished and strengthened.
Facts
Year
2018-2022
Theme
Design specification, regulatory project and digital design, technical supervision
Client
Jeudan A/S
Partners
NT Consulting Aps, JL Engineering A/S, Stokbro Rådgivende Ingeniører ApS, Sweco Danmark A/S og MIERA Rådgivning ApS
Address
Bredgade 40, 1260 København
Activating the inherent potential
The property by Svenn Eske Kristensen on Bredgade 40, was rewarded by the Municipality of Copenhagen in 1959 and has a preservation value as cultural heritage.
In collaboration with the owner of the building, Jeudan A/S, Elgaard Architecture formulated the following principles for the development of the property:
- Strenghtening the original architectonic characteristics and qualities
- Creating a high degree of flexibility for the future office tenancies.
- Ensuring the most efficient use of space for an optimised business case.
- The highest possible amount of parking spaces.
- A complete renovation and upgrade of all technical installations.
- Simple and cost-effective maintenance.
- An economic profitable investment.
With a focus on the above listed principles and through detailed archival studies and registration, the property has been respectfully remodelled in accordance with the original architectural idea and qualities. One of the major interventions has been the installation of a new central stairwell with an elevator which gives a better internal flow and makes it possible to divide the spaces into smaller entities.
The property on Bredgade 40 is a prominent modernist building, which discreetly incorporates into the historic neighborhood and adjoining buildings of Bernstorffs Palace and Amalienborg Palace from the 1750s.
On the ground floor the foyer, which includes a reception area, has been carefully extended to meet the new needs of a multi-user office building. Thus, the former exterior area at ground level has been discretely incorporated in the interior space, which has increased the total number of square meters. The new façade with access to a storefront has been established, based on the original drawings and sketches. This ensures a higher visibility and interaction with the commerce- and life on the street.
All technical installations have been upgraded as hidden installations within the façade construction, which has also bettered the building’s energy performance. A new ventilation concept has been introduced to increase the indoor climate and comfort. The new system in turn has made it possible to heighten the ceilings, thus strengthening the original architecture by exposing the beams as originally.
Overall, the property presents as a fully renovated, multi-user property with the possibility of dividing the individual floors into custom-made rental office spaces of various sizes.
“Thorough analysis of the building's architecture and qualities has made it possible to discreetly integrate new sustainability initiatives with respect to the key conservation values. ”
Julian Jahn, Design Manager
Ground floor prior to the remodelling.
Ground floor after the remodelling.
The new elevator- and stairwell – building site.
The new elevator- and stairwell after the remodelling.
“The project has reestablished the building’s original architectural character with exposed columns and beams, while implementing a significant technical and energy upgrade”
Julian Jahn, Design Manager
One of the important traits of the original architecture was the modular structure with visible columns and beams.
Over the years the original character of the building’s interiors were lost due to e.g. suspended ceilings and installation panels that did not respect the original qualities.
After the remodelling the building’s character and qualities have been restored and re-interpreted with respect to the original idea. Thus, the new and extensive technical upgrade has been discretely integrated in the design.
The original architectonic expression of the house. From the movie 'Martha' (Nordisk Films Kompagni, 1967)
Prior to restoration.
During the restoration, the installation of a new ceiling system, strengthening the original and modular architecture of the building.
After the restoration.
Creating value with ScanToBIM og construction documents.
ICT and BIM meatods used:
- Elgaard Architecture as ICT leader ensured BIM implantation across the project. Creation of contractual ICT specifications, coordination of ScanToBIM projects, as well as interdisciplinary 3D collision and consistency control throughout the construction detailing phase.
- 3D-Laser scanning, implemented successively for varying detail levels to ensure effective construction planning and buildability throughout the project.
- 3D construction documentation in BIM 360 (real-time interdisciplinary coordination), to ensure a high level of 3D coordination throughout all phases.
- Construction documentation tools integrated in BIM models to ensure high consistency between 3D model, drawings, and work descriptions as well as BIM model take-offs.
- 3D visualizations created directly with BIM model.
- Virtual Reality in BIM model to communicate important design concepts.
- BIM coordination with sub-contractors to ensure a high consistency in construction buildability and deliveries.
The canteen as it presented originally.
The canteen prior to restoration.
The canteen after the restoration.
“The remodeled building allows for a high extent of flexibility, as the plan can be easily adapted to differing user needs.”
Julian Jahn, Design Manager
New, flexible suspended ceiling system, with or without internal wall.
The ceiling system executed, here without an internal wall.
Original stairwell prior to the remodelling.
Original stairwell after the remodelling.
Detail of meeting between the original staircase and glass bricks.
Detail of meeting between the new staircase and elevator.
The Baltica domicile, with Svenn Eske Kristensen (1905-2000) as its architect, is a fine example of Danish 1950s architecture, which expresses a strong modernist architectonic character while at the same time blending discreetly into the historic city quarter as a neighbor to the impressive Bernstorffs Mansion, Amalienborg Palaces from the 1750s. The proportions and details of the building’s exterior and the rhythm and scale of the facades adapts naturally to the scale and qualities of the surroundings.
The building can be considered a gesamtkunstwerk, as Svenn Eske Kristensen also designed all interior details, just as he had an influence on the artistic decoration of the place. The courtyard garden by Eywin Langkilde was designed at the same time, and it expresses great sensibility and tranquility in its coexistence with the surrounding buildings. Further, it is one of the few well-preserved gardens from this period
The property’s atrium well is decorated by Danish sculptor and artist Gunnar Aagaard Andersen (1919-1982) who in the 1950s, and the following decades, decorated several Danish company domiciles. He was very inspired by French concretism and founded the artists’ association ‘Linjen II’. His home, Munkeruphus, became an artistic hub and a meeting place for sculptors, painters, and architects etc. of the time, and since 1989 the place has functioned as an exhibition place for contemporary art.
Bredgade 40 as seen from the street.