Many of the buildings in Ørestad are worthy of a visit due to the sheer beauty of its architecture some designed by world-famous architects like Bjarke Ingels (Mountain Dwellings, VM Houses, 8 House), Norman Foster (Copenhagen Towers) and Jean Nouvel (DR Koncerthuset), as well as by leading Danish firms such as Lundgaard & Tranberg (Tietgenkollegiet). In particular, Ørestad is a place to see cutting-edge sustainable architecture such as buildings made from “upcycled” materials.
Five must-see buildings
Tietgenkollegiet
Located on Copenhagen University’s southern campus, these award-winning halls of residence house almost 400 students. The building's circular design is the hallmark of the acclaimed Danish architects Lundgaard & Tranberg and was inspired by traditional southern Chinese architecture.
DR Koncerthuset
Designed by the acclaimed French architect Jean Nouvel and completed in 2009, the 1,800-seat DR Concert Hall is one of Denmark's architectural and cultural showpieces. Try to catch a concert if you can: the building’s world-class acoustics match its eye-catching looks.
Mountain Dwellings
Designed by BIG – star architect Bjarke Ingels’ firm – this 11-storey building was inspired by a hillside village. Apartments are stacked up the side of its “north face” like rice paddies—above a 650-vehicle garage – with the roof of one apartment providing a unique green space for the one above it.
8-Tallet / The 8 House
Another BIG building, the iconic 8 House couldn’t be more Instagram-friendly. Shaped like a figure of eight, it houses more than 400 apartments and commercial units, all connected via a kilometre-long path that winds all the way to the top – providing spectacular views of Kalvebod Fælled.
Upcycle Studios
Nothing typifies the future of Danish housing – nor how sustainability-minded Ørestad is – quite like this row of 20 townhouses. Built using waste materials that were otherwise destined for landfill or the incinerator, the townhouses can be used as both a home and an office, workshop or retail space.