The School on Islands Brygge by C.F. Møller

Located at the intersection of Islands Brygge, the Port of Copenhagen, and Amager Commons, the School on Islands Brygge is a forward-thinking educational facility designed for middle school students. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to learning, integrating nutrition, movement, and sensory experiences to enhance both academic and physical development. By combining theoretical instruction with experience-based and interactive learning, the school fosters a dynamic environment that encourages engagement, creativity, and wellbeing.

The building’s triangular form draws inspiration from its surrounding urban, port, and natural landscapes, reflected in the carefully selected materials and color palette. Central to the school’s identity is its double-height dining hall, which functions not only as a canteen but as the social and functional hub of the school. This vibrant communal space connects classrooms, activity zones, and recreational areas, making it the focal point for student interaction and collaboration.

Promoting physical activity is a core architectural principle. The school features a spiraling, dynamic design with staircases that lead to an active rooftop landscape. Students can traverse the rooftop to reach various school facilities, encouraging movement and playful exploration. The rooftop also houses a sports area, complete with a running track, parkour zones, and an enclosed ball pitch, providing ample opportunities for exercise and outdoor learning.

Indoor and outdoor learning environments are seamlessly integrated. Each classroom opens directly onto the rooftop landscape, while the natural science areas connect to rooftop zones featuring a biology garden, a physics and chemistry hothouse, and gardens used for culinary lessons. This design ensures students can engage with nature, explore scientific concepts hands-on, and experience a variety of educational, physical, and sensory activities in an inspiring and cohesive environment.

All Photographs are works of Adam Mørk, Julian Weyer