The glass facade of the former warehouse of the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory (Råvarebygning), renovated by Henning Larsen is the highlight of the design proposal.

The Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is concentrated in four locations, collectively called the CBS campus. All these buildings planned are within walking distance of each other and all reflect the characteristic Scandinavian style of architecture with use of glass. Henning Larsen Architects was chosen by CBS through an invited competition to design and renovate the former warehouse of the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory, also called the Ravarebygning. The innovative and organic proposal in glass for the refurbishment of the Ravarebygning, while still maintaining a connection with these other buildings in the campus was critical for Henning Larsen Architects being awarded the project.  

The overall theme or concept for design and renovation of the building has been simplicity and transparency, which has been achieved by the use of glass. The project is in two distinct phases; the first is the renovation of the outside of the building like demolition, concrete flooring and designing a new facade and the second phase of the project is the refurbishment of the interiors of the building, handled by Henning Larsen Architects.

The closed and dismissive yellow facade of the old warehouse building has been brought down and in place of this a transparent facade in glass has been erected. The glass facade mirrors the trees planted in the garden. This visually open glass facade creates maximum transparency in the building with natural daylight and offers views of the Frederiksberg Garden from all sides. The patio, north of the building, is covered with granite tiles and a fountain is also constructed.

The ground floor is perceived as a sculptural landscape with a cafe and open studios for studying as well as areas for socialising. Thus different zones for studying and communication are created. A sculptural staircase visually links with the different floors. All the different departments are placed on the upper floors around the main central staircase. The top floor is a large roof top area housing the conference room and a VIP lounge. The teaching and research areas are located on the middle floors. The central, sculptural staircase thus helps in maintaining a visual link between all the floors. An information disc is placed along the building height next to the sculptural staircase. This runs up through all the floors and acts as a visual link between the floors.

This innovation design, pre-dominantly in glass, has converted the old warehouse building to a flexible, modern, transparent and dynamic learning center with well-defined spaces, niches and open spaces. It creates a building that is easy to understand and that is visually clear offering views across its glass facade and also up the floors.

The refurbishment of the interiors of the building carries forward the architectural theme of simplicity and transparency. The design is based on the architectural expression as well as the use of materials and colours. Also includes furniture, facade signs, maps, door signs and decorative plastic sheets on the glass walls of offices and meeting rooms.

 

Fact Files:

Project: CBS

Architect: Henning Larsen Architects

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Project Year: 2009

Photographs: Courtesy the architects

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