Rodovre Town Hall
Location: Rødovre, Denmark
Year: 2020-2024
Project Type: retrofit, office building
'As Copenhagen faces rising seas and harsher weather, retrofitting our buildings isn’t just a necessity—it’s our front line in the fight against climate change.'
Rødovre Town Hall, designed by Arne Jacobsen, was inspired by minimalist architects like Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen. The restoration project aims to enhance its role as a civic hub, improving sustainability, well-being, and efficiency. Key upgrades will address poor lighting, ventilation, air quality, and insulation while strengthening its location, accessibility, and community engagement.
The Town Hall is situated on the west side of a public square. To the south of the square lies Rødovre Parkvej, a main road, with a shopping centre located opposite. To the west of the site, a green area separates the Town Hall from Tarnvej, the second major road in the area. The site has excellent access to public transport and is also easily reachable on foot or by bicycle. Noise pollution is not a significant issue, as the adjacent roads are not busy, and the surrounding neighbourhood is primarily residential.
Analysis of Existing Building
The existing building has a strictly rational structure, supported by central pillars, precast crossbeams, floor slabs, and load-bearing gable walls at either end. Its longitudinal form ensures an even distribution of load along the central axis. Crossing walls at staircases help reinforce the structure. The precast structural system also provides flexibility in the floor plan, allowing for adaptable retrofit solutions.
Proposed Environmental Section
The project aims to create a sustainable and aesthetically appealing building that addresses future climate challenges and encourages community engagement. Key objectives include reducing energy consumption through innovative systems like double-skin façades, geothermal heating, and improved insulation, while enhancing daylight access through an open-plan layout. The building will also be made 80% flood-resistant by elevating it and altering the site’s topography. Additionally, the landscape design will incorporate cycling tracks, parks, and water bodies to foster social interaction and reduce solar radiation, making the site more accessible to the community.
Explore the Process Behind the Design
This project was driven by in-depth sustainability analysis and a series of performance simulations that informed key design decisions. To see how data shaped the outcome, from environmental strategies to material choices, feel free to
in collaboration with Anushka Singla, Miles Gao, Wenjin and Samuel