New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 34/03C | Page 21

Below:Architects Bjarke Ingels
Group used modular construction
with modest materials to provide
affordable apartments with
generous living spaces for low-
income families in Dortheavej,
Copenhagen.
With property prices skyrocketing in major
cities across the world, it’s becoming more and
more difficult for many average families to find
good accommodation at a reasonable price.
So it’s refreshing to see top architectural firms
with a social conscience applying their expertise to
affordable home design alongside high-end, multi-
million dollar projects going through their studios.
One such development is Dortheavej, situ-
ated in one of the most multicultural, low income
neighbourhoods in Copenhagen. The project was
designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to fulfil the
‘Homes for All’ mission of non-profit affordable
housing association Lejerbo.
BIG was asked to create much needed housing
and public space in the area, while keeping the
pedestrian passageways open and the adjacent
green area untouched.
The resulting 6800m 2 , five-storey building winds
through the area that had previously been charac-
terised by car repair shops, storage and industrial
buildings from the 1930s-50s.
Architect Bjarke Ingels says that affordable
housing is an architectural challenge due to the
necessary budget restrictions.
“At Dortheavej, we have attempted to mobilise
modular construction with modest materials to
create generous living spaces at the urban as
search | save | share at