Steven Holl Architects Wins Copenhagen LM Competition by Unanimous
Decision. New Gateway for Copenhagen Harbor Formed by Two Towers
Connected By ‘Handshake’ of Public Bridges.


Steven Holl Architects
The LM Project, 2008
Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Copenhagen, Denmark: Friday 31st October, 2008 It was announced today
at a press conference in Copenhagen, Denmark that Steven Holl Architects has
won the international design competition “The LM Project”. With a program that
connects office towers and civic spaces with a public walkway 65 meters above
the harbor, the new design is intended to form an iconic landmark for
Copenhagen’s waterfront. The competition was organized by CPH City and Port
Development and ATP Ejendomme; the CEO’s for both companies were among
the jury members selecting the winner. The Chairman of the Jury is
administrative director of the development company City / Harbor and
Copenhagen’s former mayor Jens Karmer Mikkelsen.


Steven Holl Architects
The LM Project, 2008
Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Mr. Mikkelsen said “The project combines the esthetical, the functional and the
business minded. This winning proposal is architecture in high, high class.”
The current mayor of Copenhagen, Ritt Bjerregaard, praised the design, saying
“With the winning project, we get a great high-rise building, which will bind the
city better together and function as a landmark in the harbor.”
Steven Holl Architects’ design for the dramatic new harbor entrance to the great
city of Copenhagen is based on a concept of two towers carrying two bridges at
two orientations all connecting back to the unique aspects of the site’s history.
The Langenlinie site, a berth for ocean ships for decades, is expressed in the
Langenlinie tower with geometry taken from the site’s shape. A prow-like public
deck thrusts out to the sea horizon. This deck is the level of public entry to the
bridge elevators and has public amenities such as cafes and galleries. It can be
reached by a wide public stair as well as escalators. The Marmormolen tower
connects back to the City with a main terrace that thrusts out towards the city
horizon shaped by a public auditorium below. It can also be reached by
escalators and is adjacent to the public bridge elevator lobby.


Steven Holl Architects
The LM Project, 2008
Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Each tower carries its own cable-stay bridge that is a public passageway
between the two piers. Due to the site geometry, these bridges meet at an angle,
joining like a handshake over the harbor. The soffits below the bridges and under
the cantilevers pick up the bright colors of the harbor; container orange on the
undersides of the Langenlinie, bright yellow on the undersides of the
Marmormolen. At night the uplights washing the colored aluminum reflect like
paintings in the water.


Steven Holl Architects
The LM Project, 2008
Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects

Regarding the winning design proposal, the competition Jury cited the following:
‘The jury has unanimously decided to nominate Steven Holl Architects entry as
the winner of the competition. The reason being the special importance placed
on creating two buildings each adapted to the site, and the overall idea of how to
connect these buildings and ensure that they form a whole across the harbor
basin. The project involves a sense of place which is essential for a project on
this prominent site.”

The project utilizes a variety of progressive sustainable solutions to ensure this
important international landmark is rooted in Denmark’s identity as one of the world leaders in alternative energy. Both towers have high performance glass
curtainwalls with a veil of solar screen made of photovoltaics; collecting the sun’s
energy while shading. They are connected to a seawater heating/cooling system
with radiant heating in the floor slabs and radiant cooling in the ceiling. Natural
ventilation is provided on every floor with windows opening at the floor level and
ceiling level for maximum air circulation. Optimum natural light is provided to all
offices due to the reflective light performance of the screens. Wind turbines line
the top of the pedestrian bridge roof; providing all electricity for lighting the public
spaces. Due to wind power, this inviting harbor front gateway is always glowing.

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