As we look back on 2022, there is much to be thankful for. Most importantly, we launched the Reduction Roadmap, which for the first time ever translates the Paris Agreement and the Planetary Boundary for Climate Change into industry-specific carbon reduction targets for new Danish housing projects.
The roadmap, developed in a cross-sectoral partnership with CEBRA and MOE Denmark, is currently being adopted by major players in the Danish industry such as Green Building Council Denmark, pension funds, consulting companies and organizations. Check it out and please reach out if you would like to learn more!
Receiving the Nykredit Sustainability Award was another favourite moment of 2022. We dedicated it to all the partners and collaborators who have helped us push the agenda so far and to those who will join us in the coming years. Working together across sectors is the only way we are going to fast forward the green transition.
Making the case for healthy low-carbon homes and communities
Speaking of pushing boundaries and generating new ideas, the construction of BoligVærkstedet in Jernbanebyen is advancing at full speed and will be open to visitors in the first quarter of 2023 when Copenhagen takes on the title of the World Capital of Architecture. The exhibition presents proof-of-concept prototypes which demonstrate the viability of more than three years of research carried out in collaboration with VELUX and MOE Denmark and showcase our proposition for healthy, low-carbon homes and communities.
Also, we are proud to take part in the Realdania-backed research and development project 'Doughnut for Construction' with Home.Earth among others. The model and method will be open-source and the aim is to contribute to the whole industry's transformation towards absolute sustainability across bottom-lines drawing inspiration from the Doughnut Economy developed by British economist Kate Raworth.
Growing the new out of the old
Combining urbanism, architecture and landscape, our cross-disciplinary team succeeded in winning the Frederiksberg Hospital competition. The proposal, which aspires to create a new landmark for measurable, sustainable development of an existing urban area, was exhibited at the Oslo Triennale and followed the guiding principle of “Growing the New Out of the Old”. The aim is to preserve and adapt the historical buildings and centenary trees and favour a pedestrian network over car use, and our landscape team will work hard to ensure that the overall biofactor of the area is increased.
A snapshot of the year
In other news, construction started at Fuglebakkevej where we are transforming an industrial warehouse into vibrant living and urban spaces. Kulturcenter Community Center was inaugurated – Østerbro’s new gathering point for learning and culture – and the research project Eurelectric Powerplant launched with the goal to investigate how renewable electricity projects can integrate climate action with positive impacts on biodiversity. The landscape team is deep in the final phase of the resilience and public space strategy in Tønder, which led to the discovery of the oldest existing harbour front in Denmark. An underground exhibition of the harbour front is now being integrated into the overall project.
What we are looking forward to in 2023
In addition to BoligVærkstedet in Jernbanebyen, both Svendborg´s International Maritime Academy (SIMAC) and the Hamaren Activity Park in Fyresdal, Norway will be completed next year. The new addition to the park will be a beautiful one-kilometer route enabling visitors to walk through the forest all the way to the summit of Klokkahamren. We can’t wait for you to put on your hiking shoes!
We will be busy in the Netherlands as we were selected to be the new urban designer of the Feyenorrd City Stadium and Waterfront Development in Rotterdam – a 85,000 m2 site mixed use site. We also won the tender for mixed development of up to 70,000 m2 in Groningen – a city with a high-level of ambition for sustainability. Other construction projects on site abroad will include the Tour & Taxis urban redevelopment in Brussels and a new neighbourhood in Glarus, Switzerland, where an inoperative factory is being transformed into a vibrant and sustainable quarter, establishing a close relationship with the water. Site works on KielHöfe in Germany has begun where the transformation of the decommissioned editorial offices and printing press of regional German newspaper Kieler Nachrichten is taking place. Finally, we will hold our breath and hope for good news as we were shortlisted for Odense Inner Harbour with a proposal that uncovers new potential in another important harbour site in Denmark.
And so, to end where we began: To all of our previous, current and future partners and collaborators – season’s greetings and very best wishes for the New Year from all of us here at EFFEKT. Thank you for making our favourite moments from this year possible and for being a big part of our ongoing adventure.