Copenhagen, Denmark
Danish architect Dorte Mandrup has completed the 74,000 m2 masterplan on the Kalvebod Bryggeas IKEA Store asher continued collaboration with a mass retailer.
With the design of the long-awaited new warehouse in the city center of Copenhagen, IKEA has added a much-needed “green rooftop park lounge” to the area.
The store and warehouse are approximately 37.000 square meters and will be placed at Kalvebod Brygge, located between Vesterbro and the Harbour.
Scheduled to open in the Vesterbro neighborhood in 2023, the store has been designed to suit the behavior of urban consumers.
Accessible by foot or by bike and topped with a tree-lined roof that will offer much-needed green space to the busy centre of the capital city.
The project will also include about 21,000 square meters of hotel, commercial and 16,000 student-housing.
“Vesterbro is a densely populated and active district of the city that only has a few green pockets and walkways available,” states Mandrup.
“With the new rooftop park, we want to give back a green lounge to the local community and create both intimate resting places and opportunities for spontaneous meetings. From the top of the roof, you have a beautiful undisturbed view over Vesterbro, the canal, and the inner city.”
The warehouse will be highly accessible for bikes, and visitors will be able to borrow a bike trailer or carrier bikes to accommodate the two-wheeled Copenhagen lifestyle.
On the exterior, Mandrup’s design is distinguished by a wavy white façade that challenges the standard classic blue and yellow designs of older stores.
The façade evokes a curtain that unfolds to reveal and showcase products and lifts to generate seating areas at the stores street level.
“The facade draws inspiration from a white curtain motif,” explained Mandrup.
The IKEA city store aims to change the retail experience, providing locals with a new destination and meeting place.
As stated by Johan Laurell, CEO of IKEA Denmark, “[the locals] can also stop for a cup of coffee, dwell on the rooftop or meet friends for dinner. This way, we try to bring something back to the neighborhood.”
The project aligns with Copenhagen’s goals to become the first carbon-neutral city by 2025 and with IKEA’s commitment to be a circular business by 2030.
The new IKEA store is expected to open its doors in 2023.
Project: Dorte Mandrup’s IKEA Copenhagen-1
Architects: Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter A/S
Client: IKEA
