Waste warrior: Bjarke Ingels Group devise a new recycling plant for Copenhagen

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The Amager Bakke building in under construction.
Based on the outskirts of Copenhagen, the Amager Resource Centre’s newest addition, the Amager Bakke, has been designed by Bjarke Ingels Group
(Image credit: Christoffer Regild)

Located in an industrial facility on the outskirts of Copenhagen, the Amager Resource Centre (ARC) has been providing recycled energy to its local community since 1970. The centre stands as a significant ecological landmark for Denmark, its energy output playing a crucial role in creating a sustainable environment for the eco-conscious country's future generations.

Last year alone the ARC processed the refuse of one million Danish citizens, and with the population of Copenhagen rapidly growing, there has been increasing demand for a more socially intelligent and ecologically considerate way to tackle the waste recycling process. 

Enter the Amager Bakke – the newest addition to the ARC complex and part of the solution to this problem. It is set to open in 2017, and when it does, it is predicted to produce heat for 160,000 homes and electricity for 62,500 of them, aiding Copenhagen's ambitious goal to become a carbon neutral city by 2025. 

Designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the Bakke will also offer a playful, recreational twist. Standing 85m in height, the plant will become Copenhagen's tallest 'mountain', as its roof has been creatively designed as a ski slope for the use of the local community. The design also integrates a number of green areas, which residents can use for running, walking and hiking. 

Merging seamlessly to its surrounding environment, the Bakke will act as a multi-functional social spot, opening up the area's industrial urban fabric to the public and allowing spectacular long views over the city and the nearby harbour. The BIG concept impressively includes added value for its local residents, helping to redefine the relationship between community and industrial space.

Side view of the the Amager Bakke in Copenhagen while under construction.

Slated for completion in 2017, the Bakke will become Copenhagen’s tallest ‘mountain’, as the building’s roof will doube as a community ski slope.

(Image credit: Christoffer Regild)

Inside view of the the Amager Bakke in Copenhagen while under construction. Large steel structures and scaffolding.

The plant will supply heat for 160,000 Danish homes and electricity for 62,500 of them, helping towards Copenhagen’s aim to become an energy neutral city by 2025.

(Image credit: Christoffer Regild)

A large machine inside the Amager Bakke in Copenhagen.

Last year alone, the Amager Resource Center was responsible for recycling the waste of one million citizens.

(Image credit: Christoffer Regild)

Four large pipes inside the Amager Bakke in Copenhagen.

The architecture is not the only impressive feature of the Bakke – BIG’s concept impressively includes added value for its local residents, helping to redefine the relationship between community and industrial space

(Image credit: Christoffer Regild)

INFORMATION

For more information, visit BIG's website

Photography: Christoffer Regild