Horten Facade

Three Dimensional Facade in Fibreglass and Travertine

Two years of research and development on building facades is now about to be realized on one of 3XN’s latest projects. The development of a head office for a Danish law firm on the Copenhagen harbourfront is incorporating a range of sustainable solutions. This is innovative in that these solutions do not require any compromise with the original energy saving requirements and aesthetic objectives in its architectural design.

In order to shield against overheating, it was necessary to design the building in such a way that it is closed to the south and opened to the north. Because of the three dimensional relief, the facade works as a screen against the sun, thus allowing a pleasant office temperature. This is done while still providing a view to the water with each office having its own individually framed ‘bow’.

With its unique design, the facade is also unique in its material composition. To adapt to the special geometry, it was natural to design using new and innovative building materials and methods. The end result is a facade design which consists of two layers of fibreglass composite, with a highly insulated core of foam; upon which is placed an outer layer of travertine.

’The building is a good example of how environmentally friendly objectives can be combined with beautiful architecture,’ says Kim Herforth Nielsen, Creative Director and Founder of 3XN.

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