Vilhem-Lauritzen Architects (VLA), working with CCO Architects, won the competition for a major building for the natural sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Named after the acknowledged Danish scientist and Nobel Prize winner the Niels Bohr Building (NBB) is aiming at recreating the atmosphere and merits of the era. The building is quite uniquely going to house all parts of natural sciences: physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and also didactics.

Included in the 50.000 m2 are functions such as research and educational laboratories along with other teaching facilities, offices, canteen for staff and students, meeting and conference rooms.

Energy concept
The energy concept of the NBB is aiming at less energy consumption years ahead of its time and general sustainable solutions especially crucial for a science building. Part of this concept is to be achieved through the design of a double façade allowing for more efficient insulation of the building, protection of the solar shading and preheating of the ventilation air intake. Heat exchanging is also to be utilized on the exhaust air for energy efficiency. Energy production is going to take place on site through an installation of solar panels on the roof and rain water is to be collected and reused. The water consumption is to be reduced through the right means of technical installations and visibility on usage of water and also on electricity and use of ventilations (to support the right use of fume cupboards for instance).

The labs of a science building are in general high consumers of energy. A significant effort is being processed towards a more energy efficient and sustainable laboratory design for the NBB.

Work environment and indoor climate
A number of initiatives are made in order to assure that the NBB is going to have the best possible work environment for the people building it and for the end users. This is started in the design phase were an effort is made for high standards of accessibility (for different kinds of inabilities) – also higher standards than demanded by legislation. At the same time health perspectives are incorporated – for instance stairs are placed and designed to animate frequent use.

The indoor climate is another high priority where a life cycle screening is made on building materials in order to support a safe environment for the contractors and for the people using the building upon completion.

Relations to the surrounding society
Physical environment for sharing knowledge and interaction with the surroundings are thought through in the concept of the NBB. A specific example is the facilities for the elementary school classes to be able to make projects at the NBB or for the staff of NBB to visit high schools throughout the country.