The City Dune – SEB Bank
SLA Architects has created the urban space the City Dune next to SEB Bank in Copenhagen. The urban space is a publicly accessible urban landscape that serves as both a climate solution where excess rainwater is diverted, collected and used to spray on and irrigate plants, bushes and trees. Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter has masterminded the overall plan for the transformation of the Danish State Railways’ former goods yard at Kalvebod Brygge.
Copenhagen’s first 100 % climate-adapted urban landscape, the City Dune, combines functional and technical requirements such as public accessibility, irrigation and lighting with exciting paths and public spaces for the benefit of SEB Bank’s employees and the residents of Copenhagen.
Rainwater Management & CO2 Footprint
The City Dune is Copenhagen’s first 100 % climate-adapted urban landscape. According to the Cradle to Cradle Accredited Assessment Body, Cradle to Cradle Denmark, the rainwater that runs down the hill is collected in the cross-cutting line drains that follow the landscape planting inside hidden channels. A pumping system recirculates the water to the trees and plant beds, and an overflow system leads any surplus water into the harbour.
The urban space is cooled by the trees and planting as well as 110 water sprays that spread damp air with the wind. The many plants, bushes and trees contribute to the biodiversity and absorb CO2 from the air, release oxygen and thus help improve the air quality in the area. The concrete reflects the sun and create a natural cooled micro climate during the warm months.
Accessibility & Branding
The City Dune combines functional and technical requirements such as accessibility, irrigation and lighting with exciting paths and public spaces. Both the residents of Copenhagen and SEB’s employees have embraced the green urban space, and SEB Bank has received both national and international recognition for its contribution to the urban space in Copenhagen.
“As a bank, it is important that we engage actively in society. With ‘the City Dune’ we and SLA give a somewhat overlooked area of Copenhagen a fresh boost of energy with a green, attractive urban space. That benefits the city, the residents of Copenhagen and our employees, who have truly embraced the urban space as their new outdoor living room.” Peter Mering, Head of Property at SEB Bank, Licitationen 2012
About the Case
The City Dune next to SEB’s domicile is a publicly accessible urban landscape that serves as a recreational area and a climate solution where excess rainwater is diverted, collected and used to spray on and irrigate plants, bushes and trees. The urban space features several levels spanning two storeys that connect the street level with the roof of the Danish National Archives. The landscape consists of distinctive, slanting concrete slabs with intersecting line drains that are hidden inside channels.
Besides handling functional and technical requirements like irrigation, accessibility, lighting and planting, the City Dune also offers varying paths and routes through the landscape and outdoor public space. This urban space has added a lush, green landscape to the otherwise grey surroundings at Kalvebod Brygge and is frequently used by both SEB Bank’s employees and the residents of Copenhagen.