ArchitectureWeek People and Places: C.F. Moller - Student Housing in Odense, Denmark

A new student housing building has been designed by Oslo, Norway-based C.F. Møller for University of Southern Denmark, in Odense. Image: C.F. Møller

C.F. Møller has designed a new 250-residence student housing project on the Odense, Denmark campus of the University of Southern Denmark. The dormitory project will comprise three interconnected 14-story towers on a gently sloping site, linking the 1966 campus with a newer research park designed by the firm in 2009.

Axonometric plan view of typical residence floor. Image: C.F. Møller

The dorm rooms, which occupy the second through thirteenth levels, are located on the outer faces of the three towers, where each will enjoy views of the countryside all without overlooking neighboring rooms, thanks to the building's form. Each unit also includes a private balcony, increases their appeal and provides shading to help manage solar gain.

Interior tower view looking toward the central kitchen and commons. Image: C.F. Møller

In the current design, the three towers are arranged in a generally pinwheel fashion around a central space, which on most residential floors is occupied by a sprawling commons that includes kitchen, dining, and living spaces. The inside corner of each tower comprises circulation spaces including corridors and a staircase core, all of which serve to buffer the dorm rooms from the commons. The predominantly glazed central commons areas are also a visual counterpoint to the more enclosed dorm-room towers.

Plaza and ground-floor of the dormitory building. Image: C.F. Møller

The 13,700-square-meter (150,000-square-foot) building's open ground floor and glazed foyer will surrounded by a wide, paved plaza, with green space beyond. The ground level will provide a number of shared facilities including a cafe, a 50-person multi-use hall, laundry, bike parking, and small meeting and support spaces. The topmost level is also a shared area with a sky bar, two outdoor terraces and a rooftop garden, a music space, a library, a study area, and a fitness center.

Typical residence plan drawing. Image: C.F. Møller

The towers will be made of custom warm-toned gray bricks, with slightly pronounced joints. Renderings show screens will be made in the walls by selectively removing bricks.

Section drawing through a tower. Image: C.F. Møller

The firm reports that the current design is expected to meet the 2020 Danish low-energy building codes. Sustainable strategies include a highly insulated and airtight building envelope, low-energy pre-fabricated concrete components, use of natural cross-ventilation, and heat recovery from exhaust air, waste water, and showers.

The building is expected to be completed in 2015.