Desitegration Studio
2. Semester M.A. - University Munich
2024
The studio “Disintegration, Design for Disassembly” took us this semester to the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Under the banner of the Bauwende (construction turnaround), we developed an awareness of circular construction approaches. The reuse of building materials is set to play a crucial role in the coming years in transforming the construction sector toward climate-conscious practices.
Our site is located on the former Refshaleøen shipyard, now known as Copenhagen’s renowned creative and cultural district. In addition to the old shipyard buildings, the area features experimental architecture, such as the floating container apartments designed by the architectural firm BIG. In the long term, the site is intended to be developed into a dense neighborhood with a diverse mix of urban and commercial life.
Until urban planning implements its corresponding designs, this site can serve as a valuable interim solution. Our design engages with this context and creates a space for gathering and social interaction.
This project was developed in collaboration with Edric Shan Chandra, Elias Haas, Luca Höcker, Timo Kaiser, and Mario Aguilar Iriarte.
Landscape
Paths
Construction
Our design building includes a ferry terminal for the local waterbus and a student sailing club of the Royal Danish Academy. The sailing club features a clubhouse, storage for sailing equipment, a small workshop, an apartment for the club master, and a communal space. Outside, in addition to the boat dock, there are berths for the club’s sailing boats.
The set standard for sustainability required a corresponding materialization of the structure. The careful use of resources, a fundamentally circular approach, the avoidance of composite materials, and the separation of building elements by material at the end of their life cycle formed the basic principles of our design.
Considering these aspects, we primarily constructed the building with a timber frame structure. This allowed the floor plan to be developed as a freeform layout, which, according to functional requirements, takes on a wave-like shape. The timber frame structure also enables flexible handling of the building’s height. We opted for a ramp-shaped form that rises along the floor plan and then descends again.
The building envelope is formed by uniform window elements. Corresponding timber pieces adapt to the curves of the façade. The ceiling is made from prefabricated CLT panels, whose shapes were tailored to the individual spacing of the timber frames. A special feature of our design is the walkable roof, made possible by a terrace-like decking. The highest point of the building offers visitors a view of the adjacent canal as well as the city on the opposite side.