House of Knowledge in Sonderburg

150 years ago, the countryside west of Sonderburg in Jutland Denmark was the scene of the famous Battle of Dybboel. Today, the city is a far more peaceful and the entire harbour front overlooking the water towards Als island is changing character from an industrial area to a thriving urban district.

The world-renowned American architect Frank Gehry has designed a grand master plan for the city’s ‘face’ on the waterside, Together with commercial and residential property, it includes a hotel, cultural centre, parks and much else. Several different consortia are involved in the development but all the designs are based on Gehry’s idea of expressive, staggered buildings.

Office C is a building designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects which stands right on the water’s edge. The façades are clad with 2,800 square metres of bronzed aluminium cassettes which project a special golden hue and distinguish the building from its surroundings.

The interior is tasteful and simple with an inner atrium which is not large but feels generous because of its high ceilings. Here, Troldtekt natural wood acoustic panels with a fine structure have been used on the sides of the balconies as well as on ceilings throughout the building, ensuring a pleasant acoustic environment that complements the exclusive architecture.

Office C has five tenanted offices which all share a joint reception, canteen and various meeting rooms at ground floor level. The roof terrace is also shared and from there are spectacular views across the city, including a glimpse in the distance of the 1864 wartime entrenchments. In 2013, Office C won an award for the most architecturally beautiful new building in Sonderburg.