Framehouse/

Project description as provided by the Architects.

Framehouse, a 1,810-square-metre flexible office building in Dragør, Denmark, is a highly sustainable workspace wrapped in warm, natural materials. The industrial business area 12 kilometres south of central Copenhagen is dotted with repurposed aircraft hangars, and new construction influenced by their form. While the simple building volumes of Framehouse are a nod to the local context, the building is a rare gem in Denmark — a sustainable and innovative exposed timber structure.

The building gathers different tenants under one roof and creates synergy and connectivity across the different workspaces, meeting rooms and common areas. The exposed timber structure of the building is the first of its kind in greater Copenhagen, Denmark; the use of this material creates a strong identity and manifests the office building’s high sustainability ambitions.

Framehouse is a two-story building divided into three parallel volumes, creating an open, collaborative office space that encourages co-creation and interaction. The center volume is the heart of the building where common functions such as the entryway, meeting rooms, lounges and the canteen are housed. On the ground floor, concrete flooring retains heat, while the hard-pressed oak planks that make up the upper-level floors have never been used in Denmark construction before now. Fitted windows in the three roofs allow for natural ventilation, and the exterior roof surfaces are covered with green sedum plants.

Douglas fir, oak, and green plants are plentiful throughout the building and provide a material tranquillity that lends the space a warm, inviting atmosphere. The shared spaces are flanked by two flexible outer volumes that accommodate offices and meeting rooms at a variety of scales as well as a series of smaller rooms for private calls. In between the working stations, employees will be able to also gather, relax and communicate around the canteen, smaller lounge areas and interior gardens spaced out around each floor.

Framehouse is a low-energy and low-carbon building with reusable elements inside and out. The materials are produced and developed in Denmark which affects the overall energy accounts in a positive way. Outside, four electric vehicle charging stations make it possible to charge their vehicles on the spot. Clad with Sedum-grass-herbs, the external roof delays the rain water’s natural flow and prevents big temperature fluctuations. The timber façade is protected by an envelope with aluminium on wood, ensuring a minimum of maintenance needs and less wearing.

Utilizing wood as a primary building material, Framehouse achieves its low-embodied energy and low-carbon impact goals while becoming the first exposed timber structure in greater Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a modern interpretation of traditional wooden barns and their exposed frames. This idea of openness led the design into a collaborative office space encouraging co-creation and interaction where sustainable innovation meets the needs of the office tenants while supporting Denmark’s ambitious green goals. Plants on all floors and exclusive furniture create connectivity and will – together with the use of timber – create a ‘green’ and contemporary workplace with a warm atmosphere and welcoming user experience to inspire the users and strengthen their well-being. 

Architects: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Contractor: Lyngby Entreprise A/S

Engineer: Arne Elkjær A/S

Photography: Adam Mørk / Anders Hviid