BIG’s new seven-storey headquarters is rising in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn harbor area, creating a modern working environment for around 300 employees. The new site is BIG’s first example of a fully integrated LEAPP design – a cross-functional collaboration between the internal teams for landscape architecture, engineering, architecture, and product design. From door handles to concrete columns, from exterior design to the glass façades: the BIG LEAPP team designed the building with the Danish DGNB Gold sustainability certificate in mind.
The lighting was designed as an integral part of the architecture, not as an add-on, but as a streamlined continuation of the design language. The use of untreated aluminum for the luminaire bodies gives emphasis to the raw materiality and integrity of the architecture. By dispensing with additional surface finishes, an authentic appearance is maintained that blends harmoniously into the surroundings and strengthens the coherence of the overall design.
A key challenge was integrating the lighting with varying ceiling heights. Precise lighting calculations have ensured a well-balanced illumination that subtly adapts to the respective spatial conditions without disturbing the architectural clarity. The targeted positioning of the luminaires ensures a calm, harmonious lighting effect across the entire space.
The lighting design follows a stringent, minimalist concept that consistently incorporates the architectural lines of BIG. The linear BASO light profiles create a clear direction and structure, intuitively guiding you through the room while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. This approach not only contributes to a harmonious atmosphere, but also constitutes an efficient, cost-effective solution.
Michael Anker, founder and CEO of Anker & Co
Good lighting solutions create happy and motivated people. I like the fact that our selection of lighting brands makes a difference and inspires people. As for myself, I draw inspiration from my family, my friends, nature and, last but not least, the four seasons. My aim is to reflect the shift in seasonal daylight in the lighting solutions that we offer.
Details
Photographer: Anker & Co
Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
Lighting Designer: Anker & Co