BLOX
– much more than a building BLOX is one of Copenhagen’s major construction and development projects. It has been ongoing since 2006 – and is scheduled to open in 2017. When BLOX opens, you can use the new urban spaces and playgrounds, visit the café and eat at the restaurant, see exhibitions and hear about architecture and construction in a setting that is unparalleled in Denmark. BLOX is going to form the basis for an international growth environment for urban development, architecture, design and construction. In addition, BLOX also includes a residential component in the form of 22 flats on the top floors. When you come here to visit the many cultural institutions in the area – from the National Museum to the Black Diamond – you can start your tour at BLOX. We offer 350 parking spaces in the basement under the building and aim to bring the many great cultural experiences in the area closer together.
Our ambition is to make BLOX a magnet for city life. We want to see people come here for lunch, to play with their kids and to enjoy the view of the harbour. To further encourage that, we are also building a new bridge for Copenhagen pedestrians and cyclists. Via BLOX, the bridge is going to connect Christianshavn with Vester Voldgade. Why is the complex called BLOX? Because the architecture of the building is defined by blocks stacked on top of each other in a staggered formation. Because the building contains a wide variety of functions that build on and support each other, like building blocks. BLOX is designed by one of the world’s leading architects – Rem Koolhaas. It is going to make a real difference for Copenhagen Harbour, and not just because of its design!
BLOX AT A GLANCE
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Restaurant and café
The restaurant faces Bryghuspladsen. It is open to the public. The restaurant also serves as the office canteen for anyone working in the building. It offers a spectacular view along Frederiksholms Kanal.
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Danish Architecture Centre (DAC)
DAC is the heart of BLOX. It is going to feature stateof-the-art exhibitions with an international outlook on architecture, new knowledge and construction, a bookstore, a café and several other facilities.
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Bryghuspladsen
BLOX is going to have its own city square – Bryghuspladsen. A sunny area between the building and Fæstningens Materialgård with room for outdoor seating and playground facilities.
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Fæstningens Materialgård
Fæstningens Materialgård is part of the innovation and growth hub (see point 13). Since spring 2015, the building has housed experimental new collaborations in a ‘pilot hub’ for the built environment.
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DAC’s Passage
DAC’s Passage is the main artery of the building and features an underground plaza of more than 1000 square metres. The passage runs underneath and through BLOX. It is the main entrance to the building.
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Playground
A new urban playground is created in connection with BLOX. During the day, young children can play here in a safe environment. In the evening, the large staircase can be used as a stage or as amphitheatre seating.
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Homes
The top floors of BLOX feature 22 flats, all with large terraces with room for lots of plants.
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Car park
The fully automated car park has room for 350 cars and is located under the building. Entrance and exit are from Vester Voldgade.
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Christians Brygge/Ring 2
Ring 2 cuts through BLOX. It carries more than 25,000 cars a day. Pedestrians can use DAC’s Passage to reach the harbour front without having to cross the road.
10 The space along the waterfront BLOX builds a new waterfront promenade that ties the city and harbour together. The promenade is also going to have room for activities for older children.
11 Bridge for cyclists and pedestrians North of Langebro, a new bridge is being constructed for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge connects Vester Voldgade to the new urban space by Langebrogade towards Langebro. The bridge is scheduled to open in 2018.
12 Wooden pier The wooden pier runs the full length of the building along the harbour, close enough to dip your toes in the water. And for canoes and kayaks to dock.
13 Innovation and growth hub BLOX is going to house an international innovation and growth hub for the built environment that forms a collaboration platform for companies and organizations working with architecture, construction, urban development and design.
A place with many different functions Copenhagen’s most vibrant areas are characterized by a mix of offices, homes, culture, shops, cafes and restaurants, urban space and room to play. Similarly, BLOX is both a building and a place with many different functions. At the heart of BLOX, one finds the Danish Architecture Centre (DAC) with exhibition facilities, a bookstore and a café. BLOX is going to form the setting of an innovation and growth hub for architecture, construction, urban development and design, which Realdania is establishing
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in cooperation with the Danish Ministry of Business and Growth and the City of Copenhagen. BLOX also features urban spaces, playgrounds, homes, cafés, an underground car park, a new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians and, overall, creates new links across and along the harbour. BLOX is going to be a dynamo for city life in one of the oldest areas of Copenhagen and will be ready for use in late 2017.
BLOX Fæstningens Materialgård Frederiksholms Kanal 30, 1st floor DK-1220 Copenhagen K