Høje-Taastrup City Hall

Denmark


Gold Standard Sustainability

Høje-Taastrup's new city hall is an architectural marvel that seamlessly blends modernity with Danish design principles and a gold standard of sustainability

Høje-Taastrup's new town hall is more than just a civic building; it's a symbol of progress, sustainability, and community. Its innovative design and incorporation of Danish design classics make it a source of pride for the city and an inspiration for future developments.

This remarkable building signifies a commitment to sustainability, using recycled concrete for its construction—a pioneering feat in Denmark. It is also pre-qualified to receive the DGNB Gold certification by the Council for Sustainable Construction (Rådet for Bæredygtigt Byggeri), emphasising its environmentally friendly attributes.

Designed by PLH Architects in collaboration with ALL and Cowi, the town hall serves dual purposes. It functions as a modern workplace and a welcoming gathering point for citizens. Inside the 37-meter-high atrium, a central staircase serves as both a functional and sculptural element. Visitors are greeted by green plants and inviting nooks around the space that houses essential services such as the job centre, citizen service, and the city council chamber, which opens directly into the city park for outdoor events like weddings.

The first floor houses a multi-purpose meeting hall, suitable for meetings and public gatherings. Smaller terraces around the building offer scenic views of the park outside. The office spaces on the subsequent floors are designed for maximum daylight, indoor climate control, and acoustic optimisation, promoting cohesion and knowledge sharing. The flexible design ensures adaptability to evolving work needs.

Describing the forward-thinking design of the new building, the Acting Mayor of Høje Taastrup Municipality, Kurt Scheelsbeck, comments, “It is a modern and flexible workplace where we can serve citizens and work in many different ways. And sustainability is at the forefront: For example, through recycling in construction, solar cells on the roof and a healthy operating economy in the future.”

Notably, the town hall's breathtaking Council Chamber boasts a range of Danish design elements, including iconic lamps recycled from the previous building, and striking chairs from Fritz Hansen. Renowned for their longevity, shapely silhouettes and comfort, the Grand Prix™ chairs and Little Giraffe™ chairs by Arne Jacobsen were carefully selected as much-loved icons of Danish design – perfect for further showcasing Denmark's rich architectural and design heritage.