Arch2O.com

Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine
Danish law firm Horten wanted their new headquarters to present itself in a contemporary as well as classical and solid way. Our solution was to design a modern office with a new interpretation of the classical stone-clad facade.

Inside, the building appears light and open with a flexible structure encouraging informal meetings and knowledge sharing. The dynamic atmosphere is intensified by the complex and innovative exterior expression.
Courtesy of 3XN – Photographs : Adam Mørk
A unique façade design was developed in order to set new standards within sustainable solutions. The three dimensional façade in fiberglass and travertine works as a screen against the sun while still providing a view to the water. In this way, the architecture itself is actually the main contributor to the energy savings of the building. Courtesy of 3XN – Photographs : Adam Mørk
 
Shape which saves energy :

From the start, the objective was to design a building that didn?t just live up to the existing energy saving requirements, but that set new standards in surpassing these environmental regulations in the building code.

In order to shield against overheating, it was necessary to design the building in such a way that it is closed to the south and opened to the north. Because of the three dimensional relief, the facade works as a screen against the sun, thus allowing a pleasant office temperature. This is done whil...