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An ingenious and unorthodox example of adaptive reuse, Danish architects COBE and clients Klaus Kastbjerg and NRE Denmark have completed an ambitious conversion of a former industrial silo to a residential apartment building. The 17-storey structure had been used as a storage container for grain but now contains 38 units and event facilities throughout the refaced volume. "The Silo" was the largest industrial building in Copenhagen's Nordhavn, an area currently undergoing transformation into a new mixed-use city district.
An angular faceted exterior facade composed of galvanized steel performs as a climate shield while conserving the building's slender form. Despite this full exterior recladding, the interior has been thoughtfully preserved to maintain its raw and untouched appeal. Owing to the complexities of storing grain, the dimensions of the spaces inside vary wildly. As a result, some apartment floor heights climb up to seven metres, with single and multi-level units ranging in size from 1,141 square feet to 4,316 square feet. Each apartment is also afforded panoramic views via floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies.
"We wanted to retain the spirit of The Silo as much as possible — both in terms of its monolithic exterior and majestic concrete interior, by simply draping it with a new overcoat," said Dan Stubberhaard, Founder and Creative Director of COBE. "The aim was to transform it from the inside out in such a way that its new inhabitants and the surrounding urban life would highlight the structure's identity and heritage. Hence, the use of galvanized steel for the facade, which patinates in a raw way and retains the original harbour character and material feel, lending a roughness and raw beauty to the area, as in its industrial past."
The public can get an elevated taste of this transitioning area of the city too — the top floor is home to a public restaurant encapsulated within a mirrored glass box. Much of the ground floor is dedicated to public use as well, with a flexible event space available for a range of functions. The building began occupancy in May 2017 and the remaining residents are expected to take possession of their homes during the next few months.
The project provides an opportune lesson for cities around the world as they embark on large-scale waterfront revitalization schemes. Instead of completely erasing their industrial roots, COBE has proven that relics of the past can have a role in the cities of the future. "By revitalizing our industrial heritage, we discover new potential and highlight historical traces in our cities," said Stubberhaard. "They represent a built resource. They represent our history. By doing so, we can transform what many people today perceive as industrial trash into treasure."
