the Vision of BispeBjerg Bakke - Realdania Byg

enough, it has led to modern, hi-tech solutions.
At first glance, a clay model seems
banal and elementary, but to be able to
create the building expressed by the model,
digital methods and systems, which
have advanced the technical state of the
art, had to be developed. So the lump
of clay has paradoxically made the project
more innovative and complex than
originally imagined. Over and above the
design process, the organic element is expressed
in the winding, expressive body of
the building that forms a long ornamental
progression. The building has been divided
into modules, and in combination with the
roof, which almost seems to gyrate, this
generates a rhythm that harmonizes with
the topography of the location. There was
a desire to reintroduce the ornamental
factor into construction; to create a visual
readability that enables both residents and
passers-by to relate to the architecture as
pleasant and welcoming.
How was the ambition to promote craftsmanship
realized?
It turned out somewhat differently than
imagined in the beginning. I think one
can safely say that they had some rather
romantic notions about the craftsmen
producing everything on site as in the
old days. But the project has been continuously
adjusted – for example by abandoning
the idea of using full-brick walls
without prefabricated sections. However,
the goal of placing craftsmanship strongly
in the centre of the picture throughout
the construction has not been lost.
One could argue that some symbolic significance
has been lost by using brick facing,
but on the other hand this change of
plans led to devising a new way of producing
concrete elements, and it has been
done in a way that remains faithful to the
original design. At the same time, the
copper roof is one example of how traditional
craftsmanship has been carried
forward and developed, thereby demon-
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