Copenhagen
Verdens Bedste Børneby
New institution for 618 children aged 0-18 at Christianshavn
Verdens Bedste Børneby is an integrated institution with a crèche, preschool, after-school leisure centres and club. The 4,500 m² institution is divided into several small ‘neighbourhood’ units, so that the daycare centre, the two after school centres and the leisure club have a flexible setting and lots of space, while the ‘town structure’ offers intimacy on the large triangular site.
The buildings are 1 or 2 floors, with roof-top terraces, and all new buildings have been built according to the 2010 Building Code, while the heated buildings are Low Energy Class 2015. The outdoor areas have hills, lawns and large trees, which are an active part of the playground.
- Location
- Copenhagen
- Year
- 2017
- Developer
- Copenhagen Municipality
- Area
- 4.500 m2
- Services
- All engineering services including rainwater diversion, fire protection, natural lighting, acoustics, bulwark design and construction management.
- Advisor role
- Sub-consultant to COBE and construction manager.
- Partners
- COBE (lead consultant) og Nord Architects and BOGL
Focus on buildability and rainwater diversion
As a key part of the project, Sweco advised on local rainwater diversion to handle future cloud bursts and flooding. We worked with two types of green roofs on the project to optimise rainwater management. In addition to handling rainwater, the two types of roofs add landscape value, provide learning elements for the children and increase biodiversity.
Sweco played a key role in the project’s buildability. For a project as complex as Verdens Bedste Børneby, it was important to ensure that the construction was thought-out practically, so that it was possible to build the planned centre, with space for site villages, cranes, etc.
Sweco was a sub-consultant to COBE, and responsible for all engineering services. In addition to being part of the design group, Sweco performed specialist supervision and served as construction manager for the entire project. Sweco’s engineering services encompassed structures, HVAC, electricity, building maturation, environmental consultancy and geoengineering, rainwater diversion, fire protection, energy calculations, natural lighting and acoustics.
Good indoor climate and energy efficient solutions
A good indoor climate has a positive impact on the health and well-being of children. Sweco was therefore involved in the design from the outset, to ensure an optimal indoor climate and energy efficient solutions. A holistic approach to the indoor climate has ensured good air and natural lighting conditions for children and employees, while minimising energy consumption. For example, there was a focus from the outset on positioning group rooms etc. to optimise natural lighting conditions for children and staff, while meeting the energy requirements. The locations of window apertures and solar shading have also had an impact on compliance with the energy requirements.
The multipurpose hall is another example of holistic thinking. This has been positioned to achieve good natural lighting, without overheating. Solar cells have been installed on the roof of the hall to help ensure that the low energy requirements are met.