KPMG Headquarters Frederiksberg, Copenhagen HQ Building, Danish Office Design, Image

KPMG Headquarters Copenhagen : Frederiksberg Building

Frederiksberg Office Development in Copenhagen design by 3XN Architects, Denmark

1 Feb 2012

KPMG Headquarters Frederiksberg Building

Location: Frederiksberg, Copenhagen

Design: 3XN

KPMG Headquarters Copenhagen

An Expression of Subtle Strength

A balance between a thoughtful blending into the surrounding scale and an elegant, yet significant expression has been the driving thought behind Danish practice 3XN’s design of the new Copenhagen Headquarters for accountancy and consultancy firm, KPMG. The company is certain that their new building gives them the right settings and environment to achieve future growth.

pictures : Adam Mørk

Local Considerations

The KPMG Headquarters located in Copenhagen’s upscale district of Frederiksberg, has been designed with the goal of fitting into the local setting as a good neighbor. The architects therefore, approached the challenge by designing a building that in spite of its significant size, elegantly adjusts to the surrounding scale. The cloverleaf shape and the light natural stone façade blend in smoothly with the adjacent residential and office buildings.

A good urban environment is created through a mix of housing, business and institutions – and then through considerate architecture that pays attention to the surrounding buildings and environment. Thus, we decided to design a building which had characteristics of subtle strength, yet not overly showy or ostentatious, explains architect and CEO of 3XN, Bo Boje Larsen.

pictures : Adam Mørk

Return on Design

Inside, the cloverleaf shaped design results in three light atriums, each one being the focal point for the surrounding open office spaces. The atriums are stylistically similar, but not identical, making orientation logical and easy. Footbridges across the atriums are not only aesthetically playful, but also are the quickest route through the building. The logistics have been thoroughly planned to achieve KPMG’s goals for greater collaboration between the different departments.

We have been very aware of the added value that great architecture creates for a business. Therefore the building has been designed in close collaboration with 3XN Architects. The result is a building that frames the corporate culture of KPMG and gives us a better foundation for accomplishing our business goals, explains Director, and Project Manager from KPMG, Søren Sønderholm.

Inviting, yet Discrete

Confidentiality is important for the clients of KPMG and that requires architecture which builds in discretion and security, while still retaining an atmosphere which is inviting. At the ground level this challenge has been met by a metallic green installation dispersing itself like an inner landscape. These installations are in fact cleverly concealed meeting rooms offering the utmost in discretion, while the exterior landscape is used for the reception and café.

Specially commissioned artwork has been etched on the glass walls as a translucent shield to the meeting rooms, and other custom pieces of artwork are evident throughout the rest of the building. Indeed, even in basement parking, colourful photo art gives guests and employees a cheerful welcome as a pre-cursor to the special ambience and architecture of the building.

pictures : Adam Mørk

KPMG HQ Frederiksberg – Building Information

Architect: 3XN Architects
Client: KPMG
Type: Office and commercial
KPMG takes over 2/3 of the building, while the remaining 1/3 is rented. The ground floor has commercial spaces.
Size: 35.000m2 (33.500 m2 office, 1.300 m2 commercial space, 22.000 m2 parking)
Floors: 6
Interior Design: 3XN Architects
Landscape Design: Henrik Jørgensen
Engineer: MT Højgaard
Art Consultants: In Situ

KPMG Offices Frederiksberg – Sustainability

Energy: The annual energy consumption is max 68 kWh pr. m2, which is way below the regulations in the Danish building code of an energy consumption of max 90 kWh pr. m2. The building is registered for the European GreenBuilding program, which works to promote energy efficiency in corporate buildings. KPMG has also made a five year agreement with energy supplier Dong about purchase of “green” electricity. Lighting: The luminous intensity changes according to daylight and movement. The use of different colours of lighting ensures comfort and safety.

Heat and Ventilation: Glass and angles in the façade, automatic façade curtains, and a larger window façade towards the North than towards the south ensure that heat is let out and light is let in. The level of co2 in the air controls the ventilation.

Transport: Roofed bicycle parking with room for 700 bicycles. New bicycle path with bridge over the metro tracks. There are chargers for electric cars in the basement.

Rain water: is recycled for watering the park, which is constructed to contain the water and not lead it directly to the sewer.

KPMG Headquarters Frederiksberg Building images / information from 3XN Architects 270309

3XN Architects, DK

Location: Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark