Allerød
2005 - 2006
From industry to town hall
New function for a robust building
In 2000 we designed a new building for an electronics company to house their R&D, production, stock, and administration. When the city of Allerød bought the building in 2004 they asked us to perform the transformation to town hall.
The original two-storey building is 6,000 m² it has a square plan and simple structural system in steel with concrete decks and glass facades.
The transformation from high-tech industry building to new town hall proved simple demanding little intervention. In just a few months the former storage space for cables and it-equipment was altered to become the present day council chamber and a service portal for inhabitants.
A few new counters and closed meeting room boxes were established. That was basically the intervention.
Houses that do more
'From industry to town hall, like that! A childhood dream came true. Of buildings that could something else and more than what the brief had asked for. General usability is the fancy term. In the beginning, the open plans were received with some reluctance and trepidation. Now they are loved by most.'
- Jens Thomas Arnfred, architect MAA, co-founder of Vandkunsten Architects
Townhall with views to the four corners
The house was originally intended to house productiion, storage, sales, and r&d of the electronics company Crimp. It is 62×62 m square box with glass facades facing the four corners of the world.
Flexibel council chamber
The double height space was originally designed as storage for cables and it equipment. Now it is the council chamber and service portal for inhabitants
New meeting halls for the personal conversation
A few new counters and closed meeting room boxes were established. That was basically the intervention.
Mild northern light
The roof structure is a traditional industrial north light structure in steel and glass which draws plenty of daylight without the glare from direct sun.
Wooden lamella offer shade
The original glass façade has cedar lamella for solar shading.
Same art
The art collection of Danish painters of the previous owner is still hanging on the walls
Project facts
Facts
Project name: Allerød Town hall (Allerød Rådhus)
Category:Commercial
Client: Crimp / Allerød Town
Location: Allerød
Gross area: 6000 m²
Date: 2005 - 2006
Cost of construction: 90 mio DKK for orifinal build and 8 mio DKK for the transformation.
Project
Program: Originally a commercial building - then a town hall
Activity: Refurbishment of the building originally designed by Vandkunsten
Job type: Comission
Construction system: Steel and concrete
Contact: Jan Albrechtsen, jal@vandkunst.dk
Project group: Jens Thomas Arnfred, Flemming Ibsen, Thomas Nybo Rasmussen, Jan Albrechtsen
Employees: Jørgen Taxholm, Mogens Jørgensen og Julian Jahn
Team
Architect: Vandkunsten
Engineer: Erik K Jørgensen A/S