In Høje-Taastrup you find one of Denmark’s most innovative and unique city halls. The “Citizens’ House” is ambitious and forward-looking in its design – featuring a great work environment, sustainable solutions, and visions of strengthening the local communities. Nine floors. Eye-catching, transparent facade with playful angles. Large, inviting rooftop terrace, which can be opened to the public. Høje-Taastrup’s city hall stands out as a significant architectural landmark. The building is designed by PLH Arkitekter in collaboration with ALL and COWI out of a vision of developing modern, flexible work environments for employees, while at the same time giving back to the city and its citizens.
©Kontraframe
A terrace, sun deck, and cozy seating areas surround the building. Three large stairs, paths, and plantings close to the building help create a natural cohesion with the nearby city park. The unique facade is characterized by a mix of champagne-colored elements and large glass panels, which are angled slightly in relation to each other, creating a dynamic and welcoming expression.
©Emil Lund Pedersen
Høje-Taastrup City Hall’s Concept Design
The overarching aim was to craft a multifunctional building, serving as a contemporary workspace for staff and a warm, communal hub for residents. Upon entering the expansive 37-meter-high atrium, you’ll find a range of citizen-oriented services, including reception, a job center, citizen services, and the council chamber. This chamber is open for use by citizens and boasts direct access to the adjacent city park, enabling the incorporation of outdoor spaces into events, such as weddings held within the chamber. This seamless blend of indoor and outdoor areas not only enhances the building’s adaptability but also deepens its engagement with the local community, fostering a sense of inclusion and accessibility.
©Emil Lund Pedersen
In the atrium, you also find the central staircase of the building. It is designed so that it can be used as a tribune for performances and gatherings, or simply offer a place to rest during the day. From the staircase, you reach the first floor, where you will find the multi-meeting hall, which can be used for meetings and public events. The next floors contain work areas organized around the open atrium with a clear view of the different floors to support coherence and knowledge sharing. The workstations are placed by the large windows providing plenty of daylight. To future-proof the office areas, the design is flexible, so it can be easily reconfigured for new needs and work methods.
©Kontraframe
The building’s pinnacle features an expansive rooftop terrace suitable for hosting events and accessible to the public. This terrace is conceived as an intricate architectural landscape with multiple tiered levels. Sustainability measures have been seamlessly integrated into the project’s design. The greenery surrounding the city hall contributes to heightened biodiversity. Simultaneously, the project has reduced CO2 emissions by incorporating recycled concrete from demolished local apartment buildings into the foundation, showcasing its commitment to environmentally responsible construction practices.
©Kontraframe
Project Info:
Architects: PLH Arkitekter
Area: 9659 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Emil Lund Pedersen, Kontraframe
Manufacturers: DEKO, HS Hansen, Holse og Wibroe, Moelven, Rockfon, Swedoor, Teamtronic
Design Principal / Ceo: Søren Mølbak
Design Manager: Kim Ringvei
Project Architect Lead: Kristian Langkilde
Construction Architects: Galip Döken, Timothy Dufke
Construction Architect, Bim: Mikael Gyldenløve
Client: Høje Tåstrup Kommune
General Contractor : Nordstern
Facade System: HS Hansen
City: Taastrup
Country: Denmark
