2023 has so far been full of highlights! Two new wooden buildings will soon be completed, and we’ve worked on many exciting projects within our three core areas transformation, mobility, and biomaterials during this first half of the year. Before we leave for summer break, we’ve summed up some of our highlights. Happy reading and enjoy your summer!

Biomaterials

Mini CO2 Multi-storey House in Wood

We are very proud of the Mini CO2 project we are working on together with  ONV, Artelia, Blumer Lehmann, and Egil Rasmussen for Realdania By og Byg. The structural frame is now raised, and we are following the process with great excitement.

Serving as a model of how the construction industry can reduce its carbon emissions, the project introduces new solutions to optimizing wood’s many properties. 23 different combinations of biobased floor and ceiling build-ups have been tested to find the right solution for the project. This led to a report (led by Artelia) showing that in the majority of the CLT- and ribbed deck solutions it is possible to reduce CO2 Emissions up to 55-70 % in comparison to typical hollow-core slab solutions while complying with sound and fire requirements of the building regulations. 

Check out the images to see how far the project has come! (Images by Claus Fisker/Realdania By & Byg)

More project info via the project page and Realdania By & Byg website

Bagsværd Observation Home

Bagsværd Observation Home is a very special assignment for JAJA due to its strong social profile and beatiful location next to Bagsværd Lake. The structural frame is also being raised for this project and we’ve visited the site multiple times during the summer.

Above basement level, the building is constructed as a lightweight structure with load-bearing structures primarily in wood, in a combination of CLT walls, CLT decks, glulam columns and structural timber (rafters). Not only does the materials contribute to the project’s aesthetics, but it also enables us to meet the requirements of the Den Frivillige Bæredygtighedsklasse (Voluntary sustainability standard) by keeping the CO2 equivalent emissions below 8 kg per m2 per year.

More project info via the project page

Vrå skole, UN’s development goals

We are very happy to find Vrå Children and Culture Centre featured in” A Guide to Danish Architecture – Towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals” by Arkitektforeningen. The guide showcases 60 Danish projects that, in each their own way, contribute to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The book feature has also Vrå Children and Culture Centre to take part in the new travelling exhibition by Arkitektforeningen ”Dansk arkitektur på vej mod FN’s 17 Verdensmål – kan vi bygge os til en bedre fremtid?”. The exhibition is currently on display at Kvarterhuset, located at Jemtelandsgade 3, 2300 Copenhagen. You can catch it there until July 12. Starting from July 15, the exhibition will be relocated to Bornholm and will open at Domen in Allinge. More info via this link.  

Transformation

New framework for the Danish Parliament

We are happy to share that we, together with our friends from Henning Larsen and Varmings Tegnestue, are prequalified for the competition to create a publicly more open, accesible, and engaging democracy. The tasks include transforming the former buildings of the Danish National Archives, merge them with the rest of the Danish Parliament and create a new visitor entrance and visitor center.

Involving approximately 10.000-12.000 m2, the transformation will be made with great respect for the buildings’ extensive history and cultural heritage.

Also in the competition are the teams:

• Cobe A/S and Arcgency ApS
• Dorte Mandrup A/S, Rønnow Arkitekter A/S, Leth & Gori A/S
• H+ A/S, C.F. Møller A/S, and Erik Brandt Dam ApS
• Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter A/S

More info here

Image: Bygningsstyrelsen

BaneNor – From train station to mobility hub

Together with our friends from Beta Mobility, we’re helping Bane NOR transform one of their existing train stations in Grorud into a new mobility hub! Located just outside Oslo, the project is a part of an overall goal of creating a sustainable mobility system in and around the Norwegian capital.

With the goal of providing an attractive environment for local residents, the project endeavors to prioritize public transportation as the most convenient and optimal option for traveling longer distances. By transforming the existing station in Grorud, the new hub will improve mobility networks to the surrounding area by connecting buses, trains, and new mobility forms.

The new mobility hub will not only promote public transportation as the easiest mobility form. It will also be a hub containing different kinds of newer forms of transportation such as shared bikes, shared cars and autonomous taxis.

More info here

Mobility

Odense mobility plan

In April we presented our strategy for a future Odense Kommune aiming to become climate neutral by 2030! We see this ambitious goal as a great steppingstone to improve the natural qualities of the city in a longer perspective too. In this project, we propose a series of city boulevards creating highly efficient public transport, green zones with attractive bike routes, traffic islands, increased liveability in residential neighbourhoods, and engaging initiatives for the residents of Odense.

Becoming CO2 neutral by 2030 is a huge effort and we need to look at both physical measures and behavioural change. The changeover should be a positive experience for the residents of Odense Municipality, and we want to show how good the future of Odense can be if we change our mobility habits. We, therefore, suggest kicking off the mobility plan with a mobility festival featuring pilot projects across Odense Municipality. Showcasing the many ways to create better city life through mobility changes, the pilot projects will be experienced first-hand by residents with initiatives such as car-sharing schemes, new mobility forms, and temporary car-free neighbourhoods with new social niches.

Future Mobility in smaller Danish towns

Together with Urland ApS, we have helped Realdania identify models and scenarios for future mobility in smaller Danish towns (5.000 – 20.000 inhabitants). This has resulted in a report targeting strategic planners and decision-makers in municipalities, as well as shop owners and trade associations located in provincial town centres. The aim of the study is to provide insights and guidance on addressing the challenges and issues that may arise during the development of mobility solutions in smaller cities.

Find out more and download the report via this link

Mobility Exhibition at DAC

We are taking part in the exhibition Copenhagen in Common at Danish Architecture Center. The exhibition focus on community within and around Copenhagen, and our contribution involves our vision for future mobility in the cities. Using models and signage, we seek to show the profound impact that our transportation priorities have on shaping life in Copenhagen.

Designed for the exhibition is also our bicycle model designed to show how we can change our cities and streets if we prioritize mobility forms such as walking and biking instead of cars.