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Gemini Residences, Frøsilo

This is a project by MVRDV and it is located at Islands Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark. There are seven images for Gemini Residences, Frøsilo.

: © Rob 't Hart

Project images

Designer's statement

Everywhere in Europe old harbor areas are being reconverted into high-quality living areas. Excellent views, waterfronts, proximity to the center and an ?original? character make most of these developments instant successes. The most wanted apartments in these projects are usually the converted warehouses that combine a modern lifestyle with a touch of ?character.?

The conversion of the Frøsilos in Copenhagen fits into this picture, but can also be considered as a more radical next step. Whereas a warehouse can be seen as a more or less complete building, which should be modestly treated not to lose its original charm, the silos are incomplete, a bare structure. In this incompleteness lies the challenge of the project.

In the structural limitations of the silo lies the solution of the intervention. Making big openings in the concrete rings of the silo is difficult and limited. Making door-high openings is possible but complicated and can only be made in limited amounts. If there were apartments to be situated in the silos this would mean that in an area where views count, the apartments are inwardly directed. For a warehouse this might be acceptable, due its monumental status, but in this case it is a missed opportunity. And if you would fill up the silo houses and floors, it would destroy the most exciting aspect of its present state, its emptiness.

By flipping the projected floor inside out, this potential problem is eliminated, and turned to its advantage. Maximum views are possible and maximum flexibility can be achieved.

Both cores can be covered with a glazed roof, creating a futuristic lobby where people move up and down. In this way the silo will form a new core for the project and all the usable space, every room, profits from the unique location of the project.

Project details

Built: 2001-2005
Client: NCC, Copenhagen DK
Program: 84 apartments and parking
Location: Islands Brygge, Copenhagen DK
Deaign team: Competition phase: Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries, Marc Feustel, Cord Siegel, Marc Joubert; Execution phase: Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries, Marc Joubert, Sven Thorissen, Anet Schurink, Martijn van den Ban, Benjamin Wiederock, Marc Drewes
Co-architect: JJW, Jensen Joergensen Wohlfeldt arkitekter, Copenhagen DK
Advisor construction: ABT, Arnhem NL, Ramboll, Virum DK
Advisor MEP: NCC Construction A/S, Teknik, Copenhagen DK
Contractor: NCC Construction Danmark A/S, Boliger, Copenhagen DK
Landscape architect: Bisgaard Landskabsarkitekter MDL PLR, Copenhagen DK
Structure: Peter Lind, CPH, Ramboll, Copenhagen DK