Bjergsted Financial Park

The bank’s unique position in the area will be strengthened through its new location in a central financial park and cultural arena. Here, the company can realize its visions of creating value in the local area and offer the best for the surroundings and the buildings’ users. It is an example of the future workplace and one of Europe’s largest office buildings in timber.

To make a large-scale bank in timber challenges the notion of a strong, robust bank, while breaking ground for the use of structural timber. The main structure of the

13 500m2 over ground is made of timber up to 7 floors. This rests on a 9000m2 underground structure.

Connecting with its surroundings

Bjergsted Financial Park opens up towards the town and creates a generous connection between the building and its surroundings. A small park is established in relation to the entrance, creating a transition to the traditional small scale timber housing.

Towards the east, the building expresses a more urban character; the elongated, calm facade gradually develops in height along the street. Here, the building creates a sheltered walkway along the street, which also houses a bus stop. The point where it reaches 7 floors, the building creates a monumentality and an axis to the old concert hall in Bjergsted park.

Design concept

The plan layout of the building is organized around an atrium which brings light, air and green qualities into the building. Different social meeting places,  are placed around the atrium.

The buildings volume has a sharp triangular shape to the exterior, articulated also through vertical glass fins for sun shading. In contrast the atrium have organically shaped galleries of timber forming a spectacular open stair where they come together.

Timber and sustainability

From early on the client was clear in their wish to use timber for the main structure, mostly due to its positive effects on the users; the experiential and health-bringing qualities of the future workspaces.

This was further backed by timber’s innate sustainable aspects providing ground for a BREEAM-NOR Excellent certification. The building’s lifecycle is prolonged by its ability to house flexible spaces made by multiplying and subdividing the 5,4m structural grid.