The Opal

Extention to the existing headquarters of The Danish Society of Engineers, IDA

• Architects

Dorte Mandrup has won the competition to design an extension to the existing headquarters of The Danish Society of Engineers, IDA. “The Opal” is technological advanced and a true eye catcher. It will be prominently placed in the Copenhagen Harbour.

The building is named“The Opal”, which refers to the oval gemstone that reflects all colours of the spectrum. The reference is evident in both form and structure. The new landmark will have a similar play of colours when the water is reflected in its skin and through projected lights in the facade.

The volume appears to float above the ground as if gravity doesn’t exist. The light design is possible because of a visionary design concept developed by Dorte Mandrup and the engineers from Søren Jensen RådgivendeIngeniører. It is IDA's wish that the new extension will be a land mark reflecting IDA's vision of engineering.The jury agreed that “TheOpal” is the best proposal to do this.

"The proposal offers a unique architectural approach for creating a visionary and distinctive new landmark for IDA's headquarters. The building will become a focal point for illustrating the symbiosis between the art of engineering and architecture. Both IDA and Copenhagen will benefit greatly fromthe beautiful new addition", quote from the jury report.

Simply beautiful The close collaboration between Dorte Mandrup and the engineers allows the building to rest on just four V columns made of steel.The triangular surfaces of the facade alternate between transparency and opaque and the technical textile cladding incorporates LED lights to allow for a spectacular staging of the building at night.

"With the entry, “The Opal", the team has gathered the functions in a distinctive and organic formwhich appears to float above the ground in the space between the two existing buildings. The proposal hasboth a beautiful and simple architectural expression with great potential to become a unique and beautiful landmark for IDA, "says the committee.

According to the plan, “The Opal” will accommodate conference hall and restaurant.