Cobe's Copenhagen square hides bicycles under hollow hills
– Dan Stubbergaard
Danish architecture studio Cobe has designed an undulating public square in Copenhagen that provides bicycle parking underneath its hills, introduces greenery to the area and can be used as a space for events.
Karen Blixens Plads, at the University of Copenhagen, combines spaces for sitting and meeting with landscaped beds for trees and plants.
A total of around 2,000 bikes can be stored in the square, with two-thirds covered in the hills and a third uncovered.
The 20,000sq m (215,000sq ft) square is defined by three circular hills 36m (118ft) in diameter that appear to lift away from the ground to provide covered bicycle parking.
The shell-like structure of the hills was chosen for its loadbearing properties, having been calculated and modelled in collaboration with CN3 and EKJ.
The hills were created using lightweight concrete and a casting technique that meant no support columns were required inside, maximising the space available for bicycle storage. Tiles coloured to match the surrounding buildings were then laid on top.
Large, circular entrances and exits provide ample room for ingress and egress, give wide sightlines from outside for safety and allow plenty of natural light in. Additional uplighting is set into the bicycle parking facilities.
The circular theme is drawn through into the shape of the planting beds, while tiered seating is shaped into the curves of the hills and can be used for outdoor events in the adaptable surrounding space.
The hills also help to disrupt wind as it blows across what is otherwise an open space and there are depressions in the landscaping to delay the run-off of stormwater.
COBE’s founder Dan Stubbergaard said: "All in all, we have created a unique space based on three main principles: improving the connection between landscape and urban space, integrating optimal green spaces with a large capacity for bicycle parking and creating a space that offers good social meeting places and learning environments.
"The almost cathedral-like form of the bicycle hills further offers an aesthetic experience in its own right, both when people park their bikes and when they meet at the hills for lectures, group work, concerts or Friday afternoon socializing."
The square was built at a cost of 80 million Danish Krone (US$12m, €11m, £9m), with a 70 million Krone ($10m, €9m, £8m) donation from the AP Møller Foundation.
public square Copenhagen CobeUAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Three years after Pegasus Capital bought Six Senses, how close is the private equity firm to realising its goals for its first spa and hospitality investment? Pegasus’ founder Craig Cogut tells us what’s been achieved and what comes next