THE DIAMOND IN DANISH ARCHITECTURE

SCHMIDT HAMMER LASSEN:

First the Royal Library in Copenhagen, now Aberdeen’s new university library. The architects of Schmidt Hammer Lassen are showing their talents abroad

In Copenhagen, the building is known simply as the Diamond. It is located by the harbour, where light reflected from the water sparkles on the black stones – just like a black diamond. It is the extension to Denmark’s Royal Library. Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen, the Diamond has attracted attention as a piece of Danish architecture of international class. ´

The building was the big breakthrough. Today Schmidt Hammer Lassen is one of Denmark’s most well-known and prosperous architectural firms with a wealth of assignments at home and abroad. The Aros art gallery in Århus, a new cathedral in Alta, Norway and a number of libraries in Sweden are among the most remarkable buildings of recent years. Not to mention a comprehensive set of residential buildings in several Chinese cities.

Perfect architectural match

“Today half our revenues are generated abroad, with Great Britain as one of the most interesting and challenging countries to work in,” says creative director and partner Bjarne Hammer. “When it comes to contemporary architecture, the Britons are among the most demanding, but also the most courageous. This has led to us winning a number of international competitions in the UK, including a new university library in Aberdeen, and soon a very large project in the centre of London will be announced.” In summer 2006, Schmidt Hammer Lassen opened an office in London to be in close contact with the UK market.

“In Great Britain our architectural view makes a perfect match,” says Hammer. “Although we are up against some of the world’s most accomplished architects, our totality of view and way of presenting our solutions make an impact. We include the users of our buildings in a wholly different way than is done abroad. We communicate and break down barriers, create dialogue where others perhaps tend to sit in their ivory towers and present their work with a ’take it or leave it’ approach.”

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Schmidt Hammer Lassen has been operating in China for a number of years – with projects including residential buildings in Beijing and Tianjin. In Beijing there is a 93,000 m2 residential development – the Upper Eastside project –consisting of a number of white towers on a sculpturally shaped green base. Construction is scheduled for completion in time for the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen has designed what will become one of Copenhagen’s most spectacular buildings, the headquarters of Danish finance group Nykredit. Because of its architecture, the building has already been named ’The Crystal’. The building will be supported by a rhombus shaped construction system so pillars are not required, making the building look as if it is floating above the ground.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen won 1st prize in an international competition for Aberdeen University’s new library. The building is designed as a 10 storey cube. The facade functions as a climate buffer which changes character when light is projected onto it. During the dark winter months, it will be visible as a glowing landmark across the entire city.

A large organic opening on each floor creates an atrium throughout the full height of the building. In contrast to the building’s orthogonal geometry, the curvilinear atrium helps to create a more organic architectural expression. The atrium also gives access to a number of adjacent study areas.

Inside the university library is a showcase half the height of the external building. This will house an exhibition of the university’s large collection of rare books, and also connects the public space with the library’s many storage rooms in the basement.