A unanimous jury have selected Japanese architect firm Kengo Kuma and Associates as the winner of the architect competition to design a waterfront cultural centre as part of the masterplan for Copenhagen’s Papirøen (Paper Island). In a press release from Copenhagen City they praised the project on the connection created between land and sea, fulfilling Copenhagen’s vision of a new addition to Paper Island. Kengo Kuma & Associate's proposal was up against strong competition from BIG, 3XN Architects, AART Archtitects + Cubo Arkitekter and ALA Architects + Studio Octopi.
Kengo Kuma won the competition with a project that combines a waterfront culture centre, facilities for leisure and sports associations and harbour baths in “a new and original way”. Each of the indoor pools will be defined by the exaggerated scale of the space above, corresponding to the separate pyramid shaped roofs. Between the coned forms, a valley will be created in which an open-air pool will pass through.
“Sometimes you need to look far and wide to find exactly what you are looking for,” said Copenhagen Lord Mayor Frank Jensen. “There is no doubt that Kengo Kuma’s vision for a waterfront cultural centre is world class and that it will bring something completely new to Copenhagen but which also fits in with the aesthetic of the city.”
The pyramid forms were a very deliberate choice by Kengo Kuma & Associates to work with the roof profile of Christianholm without mimicking it. However, unlike the rest of the masterplan, the Water Front Culture House will be multidirectional with no single front, allowing it to be accessible from various directions.
The design will take full advantage of the prominent corner site in the masterplan; terraced pools will cascade down the waterfront to blur the edge of the land for an expansive and continuous perception of the water. Outside, an urban experience is enabled through the open public areas unified and defined by the water.
Shadow and light will be a key part of the expression of the pools as each of the pyramid forms will have a skylight at the top for a dramatic play of light and shadow reflecting off the water. The haptic texture of the interior and exterior will be further exaggerated by the use of brick and the warm, natural earthy tones that will relate to the traditional Danish crafts.
The complete renovation of Papirøen is expected to be completed at the end of 2021, when the building of the new waterfront culture centre is also expected to be completed. Funding for the forthcoming waterfront culture centre is not yet finalised.
