Athenaeum 2023

• What is "Athenaeum" ?

Derives from Greek- from The Old Temple of Athens in Greece - a place for faith, inspiration and education. In addition, the Athenaeum of Architecture is a place for people to be inspired for a dialogue about the hidden lines behind Architecture and its` future.

Copenhagen is "The World Capital of Architecture for 2023" with a slogan "Sustainable Futures - Leave No One Behind". There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals |Dhaka declaration| that every person can help to achieve. Alongside them Copenhagen is working on becoming a CO₂ neutral city. 

ANALYSIS - Location

The city is one of the most ecological ones in the world with very strict rules, water cleansing, partial electricity delivery from a wind power park and a rich greenery system. The site is located on an old island used in the past for a big shipyard company. The architecture is mainly of industrial buildings.

Nowadays the main function of the district is leisure, art and social events. There are four types of transportation - by car, bicycle, bus or by a ferry-boat. The bicycle parking and the bus stop are very close to the site and on the south border is the harbor for the ferry. The only ground connection is from the east greenery lot. The history of the place shows that it is used for festivals, fests and bazaars and relax. With time people have created their own alleys and approaches.

 

 URBAN PLANNING

The process of connecting the site and the environment

 In order to create a friendly and functioning environment in the proposal are created various alleys connecting the park. In there center are located modular structures for a better organized events, a small parking and a stage for concerts. From the center a ramp is leading towards the Athenaeum.

 • What was the concept behind the project?

The concept was creating a public space and an aerial volume that provoke and are the harbor of Architecture and its treasures, meanwhile staying true to the location roots. The base of the concept was the silhouette of city and the harbour and the love of the locals for the sea. In addition to it, the site is a counterpoint to the city symbol, The Little Mermaid. This conclusion combined with the message for sustainable future lead to the choice of ETFE Membrane, soft ethereal feeling. 

  DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAPES

In order to preserve the view of the skyline and the horizontal character, the ground is modeled creating two entrances - one underground and another with an emphasis. The inspired from the waves shapes are interlaced, connecting the levels. In contrary of the existing buildings, The ArcHarbour is designed to interact with the nature from every space, bringing her inside creating gardens and underwater atmosphere.

FUNCTION

The path of the visitor

 

The underground floor main function is exposition, education and experiment, supported by storages and service. Through different types of exhibits, games and senses the visitor can create various experiences through the fluid spaces. Workshops, holograms, VR reality, realistic structures, etc. 

The first floor is mainly a public social open space with Childs play, café, gift shop, library, ticket-office, auditorium, gardens and pieces of art. There are two cores of vertical communication and an exhibition ramp. The second floor is strictly administrative and can be accessed from the interior stairs in the foyer. 

MATERIALS - ETFE

The building is rich in materials and textures but the unique and innovative ETFE stands out. The Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is a recyclable plastic with outstanding properties amongst which are - excellent chemical, electrical and high-energy radiation resistance, extremely lightweight /only 1% of the weight of the glass/, flexible, and sustainable. It resists solar degradation, fire, and airborne pollutants; making it safe and naturally self-cleansing. Apart from the beautiful ethereal appearance it is used also for acoustics.

ETFE - sizes and palette

 In the ArcHarbour are used a multilayered cousins of ETFE as rhomboids for Form A.The texture varies from a transparent to semi-transparent and solid in direction towards the loading area and storages. The significance of the LED lightings allow stronger visual connection at night. The cousins differ in sizes and are a 3-layered air-inflated elements with integrated photovoltaics and a drainage system for rain water gathering for reuse.

CONSTRUCTION

The construction is combined: reinforced concrete for fundament slabs and pilots, steel frames and secondary spatial trusses. The steel piles with pre-stressed fiber cables are supporting the roof and its weight. Moreover, the underwater pilots are coordinated with the visibility from the interior for untroubled journey.

• How will the project transform with the passing time?

The multifunctional merging spaces allow numerous combinations of use and interpretation. The water reflections and the game of shadows and lights during the day and at night add a special effect. 

The "ArcHarbour" proposes a harmony between past/future, nature/built, tradition/innovation, function/materials, sustainability/boldness, proportions and senses. For a future the space can expand in the water |pontoon| or with underwater structures.

 

• What do you think, what`s the undiscovered magic that will push Architecture and be The Change that the world needs?