Critical infrastructure encompasses the systems and structures essential to the functioning of our society. These may support economic or social functions, such as health, transport, energy, information, food supply, or security, and architecture plays a central role in many of these domains. When buildings that support critical functions fail to operate, the consequences extend beyond the site itself, potentially compromising public safety or interrupting access to vital resources.
UdforskSuper waterworks supplies drinking water to 120,000 citizens
Water & Utilities
Marbjerg Waterworks, Roskilde
Copenhagen, Denmark
Gottlieb Paludan Architects has designed a waterworks at Marbjerg near Roskilde. It is one of Denmark's largest and can supply 4.8 million m3 of water annually.
120,000 citizens in eight municipalities in the capital region get their drinking water from the super waterworks in Marbjerg. The plant has served as a model for how waterworks supplying Copenhagen and the surrounding area are designed today, not least with regard to drinking water safety.
Client
HOFOR A/S
Status
Completed
Size
2145 m2
Year
2015
Collaborators
Krüger A/S
Areas of Expertise
Photos
Gottlieb Paludan Architects
Water treatment and architectural adaptation in the cultural landscape
The plant is laid out with three brick-clad volumes that reflect the organization of the internal functions and are staggered both in height and in plan. The long building at the rear primarily contains storage, the tall building contains the water treatment process, and the low building contains crew facilities.
The entire building complex is constructed in reddish-brown bricks, adapted to the existing waterworks and the existing service housing. The facades are made of recessed masonry, where every second course of masonry stands out, creating depth and structure in an otherwise uniform facade. The waterworks is located in the middle of a beautiful cultural landscape, so it was important to design a building that would not create visual noise in the landscape.
Windows in the masonry walls are primarily located behind ribbed brickwork and thus blend into the surface, with the exception of a long window section in the southern gable of the building at the entrance to the facility.
The design began in the fall of 2011 and the waterworks was completed in March 2015.
The waterworks is located in the middle of a beautiful cultural landscape, which is why it was important to design a building that does not visually disturb the landscape.
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Water is essential for life and one of society's most important resources. We design water and utility infrastructure that supports robust systems while adding value to their surroundings.
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Christina Tolstrup
Head of Water & Utilities, DGNB ConsultantArchitect
ct@gottliebpaludan.com+45 4171 8277