Copenhagen. The parking structure becomes an attractive and coloured public space

The new parking house by JAJA Architects is situated in Århusgadekvarteret, which is the first phase of a major development plan for Nordhavn. The neighbourhood is currently under development and will in the future host a mix of new and existing buildings. The task was to create an attractive green facade and a concept that would encourage people to use the rooftop.

Instead of concealing the parking structure, Danish architects proposed a concept that enhances the beauty of the structural grid while breaking up the scale of the massive facade. A system of plant boxes on the facade is penetrated by two large public stairs, which have a continuous railing that becomes a fantastic playground on the rooftop. This project is based on a standard, pre-defined concrete structure. As a second layer, JAJA Architects’ proposal becomes the active filter on top of a generic, multi-level car park. A staircase towards the open square provides a diagonal connection between street and roof level, and invites people to ascend along the facade.

The green facade is made up of a plant “shelving system”, which emphasises the parking structure and interacts with the rhythm of columns behind. Plant boxes introduce scale and depth, and provide rhythm to the facade. The system of plant boxes brings depth and dynamic to the facade, while also matching the neighbouring buildings’ proportions and detailing.