Siljangade
Winner WAN Awards 2022 in the Residential Category
From run-down industry to coworking and co-living space: Juul Frost Architects has transformed Siljangade into a creative environment for small, local businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
"A wonderful and creative reimagining of an existing building that had outlived its original purpose"
"The project contributes very well to the surroundings and the local environment because it is open to everyone. This means that you can come in and use the facilities and be part of the place, even if you don't live there."
Urban acupuncture
Siljangade is located in one of Copenhagen’s nine creative zones. The creative zones are areas that should offer attractive locations for creative companies that want flexible and affordable leases. The former book distribution center has been transformed under the vision of ”Synergy, Cooperation and Visibility” and helps to revitalize the former industrial area. Siljangade is an example of ”Urban Acupuncture” - The architecture adds new energy to the area and contributes to the positive development of the district.
Co-working & co-living
Juul Frost Architects, NREP, JÖNSSON A / S and MOE have transformed Siljangade into a creative environment for small, local companies, start-ups and entrepreneurs. A place that offers new ways of living in a new combination between private life, business and community. Siljangade comprises 138 commercial apartments, that range from 48 to 86 m2 divided between four floors. The individual lease can function as an apartment or workspace, or a combination of both.
The building is designed with common functions that create a framework for social and professional communities. They include co-working areas, gym, roof terrace, lounge, meeting rooms, basement parking and eatery. Siljangade has a community manager who facilitates joint activities and the creation of new networks. The eatery on Siljangade is a socially and environmentally conscious restaurant that is open to everyone and receives ingredients from Siljangade’s own urban farm.
Collaboration
The architecture supports the ambition behind the creative zones. The building has been developed as a meeting place that supports new forms of collaboration, synergy and knowledge sharing. The shared ground floor with common functions creates physical surroundings for exchange of ideas and knowledge between the house’s users and residents. The open and accessible communal facilities increases exchange and interaction with the immediate surroundings and neighbors - thereby the building also contributes to the social life around Siljangade.
A green transformation – an industrial atmosphere
The transformation of Siljangade recycles the existing raw house, which amounts to approx. 80% of the building’s CO2 footprint - An approach that leads to a large reduction in the constructions CO2 footprint. With the preservation of many existing concrete structures and surfaces reduces the project’s resource consumption and economy.
With the recycling of the raw house, emphasis has been placed on preserving the building’s raw atmosphere and creating a consistent experience across courtyards, common rooms and the individual studio, with a consistent use of concrete, raw materials and color schemes.
"The thing that can inspire others about Siljangade is that they have converted an old industrial building into an exciting entrepreneurial environment, where you combine housing and business in one. I think this can inspire municipalities across the country to have a little more courage to open up to new ways of living and working."
