CEBRA Aarhus

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

UDBETALING DANMARK HOLSTEBRO

CEBRA

ARCHITECTS
CEBRA

LOCATION
Holstebro, Denmark

PHOTOGRAPHS
Mikkel Frost

CATEGORY
Office Buildings, Offices Interiors

AREA
4600 m²

YEAR
2011

The new domicile for public authority Udbetaling Danmark (UDK) in Holstebro manages a series of vital social services, such as state pension and maternity pay, for the entire region of Midwestern Denmark.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

The building gathers employees from several municipalities in one new administration building, which has to handle and ensure a centralized and efficient service for the citizens.

The project’s architectural scope consists of meeting two overall demands. Firstly, the architecture has to radiate high quality and efficiency as well as openness and helpfulness, as the centre administers financial affairs for a large group of citizens.

Thus, the project adapts to the surrounding context, while at the same time calling attention to itself and its location with a formal language of its own – without appearing ostentatious.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

Secondly, the architecture has to create and support a working environment that combines optimal conditions for internal collaborations and social relations with a modern office landscape that is bound together by a logical, flexible and transparent structure.

On this basis, the architects designed a characterful building that derives from a clear architectonic concept – a simple yet recognizable triangular construction with manifold and functional spatial formations that developed out of a conscious use of the triangle as shaping element.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

The triangle is an unusual shape in the Danish architectural landscape and thus, UDK will draw attention to itself, but without visually overpowering its surroundings.

The triangular volume’s orientation on the site aims at creating an ideal combination of exposure, views, daylight conditions and reduced thermal stress. As one of the volume’s sides is oriented northwards there is no direct southern façade, which reduces the risk of overheating and the need for sunshades.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

The northern façade’s orientation towards the adjacent ring road enhances the building’s exposure and visibility while screening the employee’s terrace to the west and the entrance to the southeast from the road.

Throughout the interior the basic shape of the triangle creates a recognizable pattern that is applied consistently and in varying scales in order to extract valuable spatial qualities and functional subdivisions.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

In order to divide the building into subsections, a triangular interior atrium is inserted. The atrium is rotated 180° so that its tips meet the building’s outer edges.

Given its direct contact to the facades, the atrium’s shape and orientation allow a large amount of daylight to reach the building centre.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

The tips of this central space are “cut off” by walkways and workspace areas, dividing the atrium into a main space and three small atriums.

The main space is slightly asymmetric and rotates for each floor, so that varied spaces with different floor-to-ceiling heights emerge, which makes the building flexible and usable in different working situations.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

Thus, the internal contact between functions increases and becomes much more varied than in a traditional atrium building.

In addition, this strategy also meets the ambition of providing manifold of different spatial qualities, which employees can turn to according to needs, mood or project.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost

The three small atriums contribute to the internal transparency by creating additional visual connections across the floors. Their distinctive spatiality can also be used to mark spots with specialized functions, e.g. break rooms, informal meetings etc.

The building is designed in order to consume a minimal amount of energy for ventilation, lighting, heating and cooling and to maintain the best possible indoor climate at the same time.

The design is optimised through an Integrated Energy Design process, where energy and indoor climate constituted integrated design parameters from the project’s very beginning, continuously interacting with architectural and materials choices.

Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
© Mikkel Frost


Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
Basement Floor Plan
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
Ground Floor Plan
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
First Floor Plan
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
Second Floor Plan
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
Third Floor Plan
Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
Roof Floor Plan


Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
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Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
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Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
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Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
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Udbetaling Danmark Holstebro
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CEBRA Aarhus
T +45 8730 3439
CEBRA Aarhus
Vesterbro Torv 3, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark