The proposal by Danish architecture firm Christensen & Co Architects for a research and educational Building on the campus of Technical University of Denmark is an iconic attractor. The architects seek to change the allure usual of research buildings. They arrive at that by imagining the building as a converging point where students, researchers and teachers will interact freely. As a result there are no “grey” areas. The interior is lit by natural light creating an inner oasis planted with trees.
Courtesy of Christensen & Co. Architects + Rørbæk & Møller architects
The use of trees is symbolic to an extent. Referring to different cultures, trees have served as a symbol of meaning in life, learning, wisdom and experience. The 22 trees planted in this inner oasis serve to not only filter the air but also create a natural diffused lighting. For the exterior, the glass façade serves as a transparent skin, which fosters a visual flow between interior and exterior.The building is set to be a focal point on campus
Courtesy of Christensen & Co. Architects + Rørbæk & Møller architects
Project info:
Project: Research and Educational Building for Technical University Denmark
Designed by Christensen & Co. Architects + Rørbæk & Møller Architects
Client: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Area: 40 000 m2
Location: Lyngby, Denmark
Hassan Yakubu is an editor at Arch2O with a deep academic and professional background in architecture, planning, and urban infrastructure. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Cornell University, his editorial focus spans climate urbanism, sustainability transitions, and the intersection of infrastructure and STS. Hassan brings a sharp critical lens shaped by fieldwork in Accra and policy research across Africa. With prior experience leading pedagogical initiatives and contributing to architectural practices in Rabat and Accra, his writing brings clarity, academic depth, and a global perspective to contemporary urban issues and design thinking.