Unveiling the Architectural Alchemy

of Bjarke Ingels:

Designing a Bold Tomorrow

Introduction
• Envision a city's heart with a building that not
only generates clean energy but also doubles
as a ski slope. Picture an apartment complex
mirroring a mountain range, offering lush
green spaces and breathtaking views. These
are the audacious creations of Bjarke Ingels,
an architect who challenges norms and
reshapes urban landscapes with visionary,
sustainable designs.
Background
and Biography
• Bjarke Ingels, born in Copenhagen
in 1974, is a Danish architect
known for his innovative designs.
He co-founded PLOT Architects in
2001 and later established Bjarke
Ingels Group (BIG) in 2005. BIG
gained international acclaim for its
groundbreaking projects, including
the Google headquarters and the
Amager Bakke waste-to-energy
plant. Ingels' commitment to
sustainability and visionary designs
has earned him numerous awards
and recognition in the world of
architecture
Design Philosophy - Hedonistic
Sustainability
HEDONISTIC: THE TERM "HEDONISM" TYPICALLY RELATES TO
THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE AND ENJOYMENT. IN THE CONTEXT
OF ARCHITECTURE, IT SUGGESTS THAT THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PLEASURE,
COMFORT, AND HAPPINESS TO ITS USERS.
SUSTAINABILITY: SUSTAINABILITY, IN THIS CONTEXT, REFERS
TO THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF RESOURCES AND THE
MINIMIZATION OF NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AIMS TO REDUCE ENERGY
CONSUMPTION, LIMIT WASTE, AND PROMOTE ECO-FRIENDLY
BUILDING PRACTICES.
8 HOUSE
Copenhagen, Denmark

• 8 HOUSE in Southern Ørestad, Copenhagen, is a

versatile residential complex designed for
people of all life stages. Its bow-shaped
structure divides the building into two distinct
areas connected by a central hub with
communal facilities. A wide passage at this hub
links the surrounding park and canal spaces.
The building's design distributes functions
horizontally, with apartments on upper levels
enjoying views and natural light, and
commercial spaces at street level, integrating
with the urban environment
Characteristics

User-Centric Environmental Balanced Innovative

Design Responsibility Approach Solutions

Long-Term Integration of Positive Public

Global Impact
Viability Nature Perception

Positive Social
Adaptability Collaboration
Aesthetics Responsibility
How did Bjarke Apply
his concept ?

•Inclusive Living: Designed for all life stages,

promoting comfort and inclusivity.
•Community Hub: Shared spaces and passages
encourage social interaction.
•Green Integration: Incorporates nature for an
enhanced experience.
•Iconic Aesthetics: Modern design promotes visual
enjoyment.
•User-Centered: Prioritizes occupants' well-being
and happiness.
•Flexible Functionality: Adaptable layout caters to
evolving needs.
8 HOUSE
Copenhagen, Denmark
CopenHill: The Story of
BIG's Iconic Waste-to-
Energy Plant

• CopenHill, also referred to as Amager Bakke, is

a waste-to-energy power plant in Copenhagen,
Denmark. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group
(BIG), this facility not only converts waste into
clean energy but also boasts a remarkable
addition: a rooftop ski slope. This dual-purpose
design combines sustainability with recreational
opportunities, offering a unique and enjoyable
experience for both the environment and the
community.
how did Bjarke
apply his concept
on Amager Bakke
• Dual Purpose: Waste-to-energy
plant generating clean energy.
• Recreational Rooftop: Features a
ski slope for community enjoyment.
• Nature Integration: Incorporates
greenery for an enhanced
experience.
• Modern Aesthetics: Visually
appealing, symbolizing
sustainability.
• Public Access: Open to the
community, promoting inclusivity.
CopenHill Design Process
THE SPIRAL
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

•Located at the intersection of the elevated High

Line park and the newly developed Hudson
Boulevard Park on Manhattan's new western
frontier, The Spiral extends the green space of the
former train tracks in a spiraling motion towards the
sky - from High Line to the skyline.
•The 1,005 ft high-rise is a unique hybrid that
intertwines a continuous green pathway with
workspaces on every level. The building sets a new
standard for the contemporary workplace, where
nature becomes an integrated part of the work
environment while spatial features are continuously
adaptable to the changing needs of the tenants and
their organizations.
TYPICAL MULTI-STORY
ORGANIZATION - In a typical commercial
skyscraper, floors operate in isolation. Even
when tenants work for the same organization,
interactions are minimal.
CONNECTED ORGANIZATION - The Spiral
has a string of double height spaces that can be
connected. Occupants on different floors are
able to interact with each other in a lively
ribbon of atria and terraces.
The Spiral combines the efficient layouts of the
modern high-rise with the classic ziggurat silhouette
of the premodern skyscraper
• The first zoning resolution in 1916 transformed NYC's
skyline. It required all towers to stay within a diagonal
sky exposure plane, ensuring light and air could reach
the streets. This resulted in the iconic NYC "wedding
cakes" which still dominate the skyline today. The
stepping form of The Spiral echoes the architecture of
New York City's classic stepped setback skyscrapers
and is the natural evolutionary step in the Tishman
Speyer portfolio. The building's silhouette resonates
with the iconic architecture of Rockefeller Center
while its modern materials and detailing place it at
the forefront of contemporary high-rise design on a
path to become a future classic on the Manhattan
skyline.
SITE & ENVELOPE -
Located at the crossing of
34th street and 10th
avenue, the building
punctuates the High Line
and the beginning of
Hudson Boulevard. The
zoning envelope allows for
2.6 million sf and requires
two setbacks
BUILDING HEIGHT - VIEWS - At 1005 ft FROM HIGH LINE TO SKY
We stretch the basic tall, The Spiral clears LINE - The High Line will
volume to the requested most of the appear to carry through
building height of 1005 neighboring into the tower's spiral,
ft and follow the buildings, allowing forming an ascending
setback structure of the uninterrupted views ribbon of lively green
zoning envelope. over New York City. spaces and extending the
High Line into the skyline
LEGO, BRAND
HOUSE
BILLUND,DENMARK

•The LEGO brand House in Billund,

Denmark is as playful and inviting as the
world's famous LEGO toy itself. Applying
the ratio of the famous LEGO brick
throughout the architecture, LEGO Brand
House embodies the culture and values
at the heart of all LEGO experiences.
Simultaneously, the colorful building
cements Billund's status as the home of
the LEGO brick and the children's capital
of the world.
CHILDREN'S CAPITAL -
Since LEGO House is at
the center of the capital of
children, we thought why
not design it like a city
center- or rather, a town
square?
ENERGIZING THE
GROUND LEVEL -
Elements that have a public
everyday- like urban
character are consolidated
around a central space:
café, forum, store,
ticketing, wardrobe,
restrooms etc.
CHILDREN'S SQUARE -
Individual building blocks
frame a square, allowing
for daylight and views
between them while letting
people enter from multiple
directions and creating
shortcuts through the
building.
GALLERIES - Above the
square, a cluster of
galleries overlap to create a
continuous sequence of
exhibitions.
MASTERPIECE GALLERY - At the
top of the pile of bricks the
Masterpiece Gallery forms a
bridge between all the corners
of the exhibition, and serves as
a sky-lit gallery for LEGO as an
art form.
MELT - Two of the
volumes appear like
melted pixels, forming
casual outdoor seating
for people watching or
public performances
•The LEGO square is energized by an urban
character, welcoming locals and visitors to
the café, restaurant, LEGO store, and
conference facilities. The plaza appears like
an urban cave without any visible columns
and is illuminated through the cracks and
gaps between the volumes above. Above the
square, a cluster of galleries overlap to create
a continuous sequence of exhibitions. Each
gallery is color-coded in LEGO's primary
colors so wayfinding through the exhibitions
becomes a journey through the color
spectrum.
References

• BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group

• ArchDaily | Broadcasting Architecture Worldwide