LEAF Awards 2008 Winner
Performers' House, Silkeborg, Denmark
2007-
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
Photos : Joachim Ladefoged
Leading Scandinavian practice schmidt hammer lassen architects, with offices in
Copenhagen, Aarhus, Oslo, and London, has won the prestigious Emirates Glass
LEAF Awards Grand Prix for its Performers House project, a modern version of a
Danish folk high school, situated in the heart of Silkeborg, Denmark.
The project – centred on a 19th-century paper mill - was commended for the simplicity of the design, characterised by the choice of materials as well as the successful transformation of an existing historic boiler house. The new building is
linked to the refurbished boiler house by a new square where many folk high
school activities take place, reinforcing connections with the local community.
Schmidt hammer lassen architects’ choice of non-traditional materials provides a
striking counterpoint to the existing buildings. The architects’ aim was to provide
the best possible physical environment in order to encourage fellowship and cooperation in a folk high school, where educational and the social aspirations form an integral part of the curriculum. At the same time, the building has been designed
to connect the folk high school to the town by offering a vibrant environment for the
local community, including cafés, a music theatre, cinemas and a media centre.
The building celebrates its constituent parts – internally, ducting and ventilation
systems are honestly expressed. Externally, the new building is clad with boldly
perforated rust-red steel panels. After dark the internal lights shine through the
circular apertures incised into the façade, turning the building into an animated
beacon shining its light over the surrounding area. In this way the building appears
to be perpetually in motion, becoming itself a ‘performer’.
The Leaf Awards has a trackrecord of recognising the world’s most innovative
and exciting architectural practices. Previous winners of the influential award
include David Chipperfield Architects’ America’s Cup Foredeck Building in
Valencia and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP’s ARB bank Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia.
Commenting on the award, Bjarne Hammer, Partner at schmidt hammer lassen
architects says: “Our ambition for Performers House was to design a building that
opens up, inspires curiosity and invites the community inside. To achieve this, the
ground floor of the new building has a glass facade that can be partially moved to
one side, which transforms the external balcony into a performance arena. Students and local people can come together here to create music, dance and theatre
performances on this urban stage.
“The new square was designed to be the natural centre for all activities – a foyer,
a stage, an interval space and a rehearsal room are all divisible into smaller,
more intimate sections. It is built on an existing town square and now links the
folk high school and the town’s key public space. “
Facts about Performers House
Area:
3,700m2
Construction period:
2006-07
Award:
1st prize
Competition type:
Limited project competition - 2005
Client:
Performers’ House
Architect:
schmidt hammer lassen architects
Engineer:
The DAI Group
Turnkey contracter:
SKANSKA Danmark A/S
LEAF Awards 2008 Winner
Shortlist : Mixed Use Building of the Year
Copenhagen Buildings
Danish Architecture Competition
World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe
Danish Buildings
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Performers House Building - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt