The University of Copenhagen is now in possession of Denmark’s most energy efficient laboratory building. The tower has brought the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences new research laboratories, offices, classrooms and auditoriums. Outside the building there is bicycle parking for 2,350 bicycles: 950 under cover in the basement and 1,400 in the campus park.

The Maersk Tower rises 75 meters above street level with its characteristic cobber façade visible among spires in Copenhagen’s skyline. From the bottom to the top, Maersk Tower is designed to withstand future climate changes. A third of the 3,300 copper shutters that cover the front move in accordance with the sun. This reduces the energy consumption for cooling by protecting the building from heat from the sun. It is also prepared for heavy downpours. The roof gardens on the lower buildings are designed to absorb rain and there is a reservoir below the public square in front of the building, which can contain five million litres of rain water. The surplus water is reused for watering the park and thereby reduces the need for groundwater. Together with the rest of Panum, the building receives cold sea water from the Port of Copenhagen to cool autoclaves, ventilation system and server rooms. Along with the construction of Maersk Tower, 1,500 square meters of sun cells have been out up on the neighbouring Panum building.

The sustainable construction of the Maersk Tower is designed by C. F. Møller Architects. Construction of the Maersk Tower began in 2012, and the building opened on 18 January 2017.

Learn more in the folder on Maersk Tower made by Green Campus.

Photographer: C.F. Møller/Adam Mørk