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Henning Larsen Architects wins the international design prize for the extraordinary environmental performance and aesthetics of the university campus in Kolding.
Internationally recognized Scandinavian architecture firm Henning Larsen Architects announced today that its design for SDU University of Southern Denmark, Campus Kolding has received the 2016 Green GOOD DESIGN award from the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
“At Henning Larsen, we are dedicated to a holistic approach to architecture, one that puts people, space, and daylight first. To be recognized with a Green GOOD DESIGN Award underscores our commitment to building environments that benefit the community and bring value to our clients.” said added Becker.said Louis Becker, Principal Partner, Design Director of Henning Larsen Architects.
“Physical surroundings and educational achievements are not separate—they're interdependent. A successful educational building also enriches its users, fosters community, and improves the daily lives of students and teachers.” added Becker.
Adaptive building facade
The Kolding Campus building features an intelligent, perforated metal façade that automatically adjusts to different daylight scenarios and optimizes the balance between natural and artificial light in the building. Additional sustainable design elements include a combined heating and cooling pump that uses ground water to regulate the temperature throughout the building and natural nighttime ventilation of the central atrium. The first low-energy university in Denmark, the project has won multiple design awards, including the LEAF Award for Best Sustainable Development of the Year.
Invoking sustainable design strategies has become the norm for many global architecture firms, but Becker says the difference between Danish-designed sustainable architecture and that of architects from other nations is that sustainability is inherent in the Danish culture.
“The Danish model has always been sustainable because of the way we live,” said Becker. “We think about sustainability in a passive way—such as site orientation and a sensibility to light and space—at the start of the design process. Today, combined with modern technology we can optimize buildings and document results.”
Recognising best practices
Green GOOD DESIGN recognizes the world’s most important examples of sustainable design and fosters public awareness about companies that exemplify the highest standards for ecologically-oriented design practice. Prominent global manufacturers and Fortune 500 companies utilize the Museum's GOOD DESIGN logo as a "seal of approval" for meeting the industry's highest standard for Design Excellence. This year’s competition drew hundreds of entries from more than 20 countries.
Campus Kolding will be featured in a traveling exhibition of 2016 Green GOOD DESIGN winners, which will open in June 2016 in Athens, Greece.
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