Waste-to-Energy Plant, its roofscape by BIG in collaboration with Topotek1 and Man Made Land

I  would like to go back to BIG's Waste-to-Energy Plant design proposal and focus on one aspect: its landscape. BIG collaborates with Topotek1 and Man Made Land to design the roofscape. Topotek1 shares his proposal as follows:

Energy plan will be an exemplary model in the field of waste management and energy production, as well as an architectural landmark in the cityscape of Copenhagen. The project is the single largest environmental initiative in Denmark with a budget of 3.5 billion DKK, and replaces the adjacent 40 year old Amagerforbraending plants integrating the latest technologies in waste treatment and environmental performance. (…) 

Waste-to-Energy Plant — Green walls, © BIG with the collaboration of Topotek1 and Man Made Land

We propose to create topography as a natural continuation of artificial mountain meadows on the roof. If the roof is the glacier — the park is the green meadow in the valley. The landscape has been modelled in a way so it offers informal sport activities in summer as in winter. The materials are simple and robust to make sure the costs for construction and maintenance is kept reasonable. 

© Big in collaboration with Topotek1 and Man Made Land

Our goal is to achieve a zero balance regarding the masses within the property boundary. The masses created when demolishing the old building structures are used for the modulation of the hills. If possible also the masses from the excavations are used for this purpose, unless they are too polluted. By doing so, a lot of unnecessary transports are saved and this adds up to the buildings overall low impact on the environment. 

© BIG in collaboration with Topotek1 and Man Made Land

At the same time it is economically beneficial. Spatially the park has been divided in two parts. Facing the eastern boarder we have created a hill that separates the park from the active industry site. This hill embraces the park and constitutes the pendent to the already existing noise barrier on the west side of the park. 

The central space is then kept open to maintain the view over the marina in the north. It forms a local low point in the terrain, which in cold snow-free winters can be used for skating. Along the western boarder we have created a field of hills that mimic a mogul piste. Here bmx biking, jogging and sliding can take place. The vegetation in the planned park strip to the west of the site is allowed to spill out over the hills and crates a gradient between the two neighboring recreational areas. 

The path system in the park is connected with the entrances of the new building via a centrally placed with the entrances of the new building via a centrally placed main access path. From here the visitor is directed to the water or to the circular internal parkway. In the western part where the fields of hills are, a finer network of paths is created. Benches that follow the topography occupy a couple of corners and more intimate spaces are created. 

The path system in the planned park strip between the new park and the existing noise barrier in the west is modified to better connect the two with the planned residential area. The visitor's centre will be able to use the park for its outdoor activities. Different exhibitions where waster separation is pictured  could be a permanent offer in the park.

To underline the alpine quality of the space of the roof, the vegetation consists of different blue-green fir trees. These fire trees accompany the slope down to grade and spill out on the entrance plaza and partly into the park on the opposite side of the street. There the vegetation is mixed up with other deciduous conifers e.g. larch trees, which brings seasonal flavor with its bright yellow autumn color that stands in strong contrast to the evergreen fir.

For detailed information on the project see my previous post "Big selected to design the New Waste Treatment".

Who are they?
Topotek1's central task is the design of urban open spaces. Based on a critical understanding of immanent realities, the search for conceptual approaches leads us to decided statements concerning the urban context.
Throughout design, planning, and construction we offer solutions for independent new parks, squares, sports-grounds, court-yards and gardens, whose designs answer to contemporary requirements for variability, communication and sensuality.
The manifold experiences through a broad spectrum of German and international projects meanwhile capacitate an efficient realization, finely tuned to respective necessities.

Source: Topotek1