C.F. Møller Architects recognised for landscape project with integrated climate mitigation

Landscape at Carlsberg headquarters. C.F. Møller Architects. - C.F. Møller Architects recognised for landscape project with integrated climate mitigation - C.F. Møller. Photo: Adam Mørk

Lone Wiggers, partner and architect at C.F. Møller Architects. - C.F. Møller Architects recognised for landscape project with integrated climate mitigation - C.F. Møller. Photo: Mew

2.5.2022

C.F. Møller Architects recognised for landscape project with integrated climate mitigation

With the landscape project around Carlsberg's headquarters in Valby, Copenhagen, C.F. Møller Architects is awarded 2nd place in the ECOtechGREEN award, which highlights climate mitigating landscape architecture in urban environments.

C.F. Møller Architects is awarded 2nd place for the ECOtechGREEN award in the category High-tech city landscape: NBS & SuDS for the landscape around the new Carlsberg headquarters. The jury particularly emphasised that the project shows how urban climate change mitigation can be integrated into the architecture of the urban landscape - and that the project is an innovative green concept that combines functionality with new social and recreational dimensions.

The landscape project around Carlsberg's headquarters deals with the large amounts of rainfall that can occur during the summer months and cause overloading of public sewer systems.

"In Northern Europe, we will see higher temperatures, more rain and generally more extreme weather events in the future. High temperatures change the precipitation patterns we know today. Measurements show that annual precipitation in Denmark has increased by about 100 mm over the last 100 years. In addition, heavy downpours will become even more intense and occur more frequently. The landscape project around Carlsberg's new headquarters shows how urban climate change mitigation can be integrated into landscape architecture," says Lone Wiggers, architect and partner at C.F. Møller Architecture.

The water elements of the park manage a sustainable system of diverting rainwater to groundwater for flood mitigation. In addition, green roofs contribute to the slow drainage of roof water.

"We are delighted with the award in a category that is so important and relevant. In recent years, we have strengthened our profile in landscape architecture where climate proofing are integrated. And with the climate change we are facing, we expect even more landscape projects where the demand for solutions that focuses on these issues," says Lone Wiggers, architect and partner at C.F. Møller Architects.

Landscape at Carlsberg headquarters by C.F. Møller Architects. - C.F. Møller Architects recognised for landscape project with integrated climate mitigation - C.F. Møller. Photo: Adam Mørk

About Carlsberg Landscape

In 1847, brewer Jacobsen located his brewery on Valby Bakke in Copenhagen: a place with clean water and space for a brewery. The landscape concept for Carlsberg's new headquarters, also designed by C.F. Møller Architects, the historical significance of the spring is reinterpreted through sculptural water elements with climate mitigating functions.

Running water turns into a cascade of falling water, ending as reflecting water in the canal and further into a pond. All interpretations of how water flows in nature. The sculptural element adds a recreational dimension to the old garden in central Copenhagen. And the canal gently marks a natural separation of a private workplace from the public garden.

Roof water is used for the water features that act as retarding systems. The roof water is collected in a tank which via a technical facilities room, in the basement of the headquarters, is led on to a reservoir tank, and on to the upper basin where the water continues in a separate circular course down over the cascade to the canal.

In the event of extreme rainfall, overflow water is diverted from the reservoir tank to the retarding pond, so that the roof water does not overload the public sewer system. The pond has a permanent capacity of 80 m³ and a further 80 m³ delay capacity.

In addition to energy optimisation of the building, the green roofs reduce water run-off and reduce flooding of the public sewer system.

About the ECOtechGREEN award

The ECOtechGREEN award aims to highlight the important role of landscape architecture as a tool for climate mitigation and green regeneration of cities. The award is given to projects that promote green development strategies in urban environments and set new standards for climate mitigation, ecology and sustainability integrated into landscape architecture and urban planning.

Strong references on landscape projects with coastal and climate proofing

Storkeengen (Stork Meadow), Aalborg Waterfront and River City Randers are landscape projects with integrated coastal and climate protection as C.F. Møller Architects is also behind in Denmark.

In addition, C.F. Møller Architects has an ongoing project at Stigsborg harbour front on the Limfjord in Nørresundby near Aalborg, which is one of Denmark's largest coastal development projects. Here, an essential part of the landscape design is also climate and flood protection, safeguarding the new Stigsborg district and the hinterland against water and groundwater rise. In Poole, England, the firm is working on a similar project.