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Ørestad is an emerging neighborhood in Copenhagen that is redefining 21st century living. At the heart of the development is 8 Tallet ^[5] (or 8 House), a progressive apartment complex that is a small neighborhood in itself. The idea is that localizing services for residences — something large, dense cities take for granted — can be incorporated in new developments from the start. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group ^[6] (BIG), the complex features a gorgeous green roof, is oriented to make the most of available daylight, and is still just a 12 min train ride to downtown.

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The complex is Denmark’s largest apartment building — it holds 476 apartments, some with private gardens, and the ground floor features a commercial square– which in all spans 62,000 square meters. An east-west orientation ^[8] provides each living unit with ample daylighting.

The exterior is broken both horizontally and vertically. Green spaces dominate the court yards and the roof ^[9], reducing the urban heat island effect and providing visual relief for the occupants. Communal areas in the center of the complex provide residents with a place to stretch out on those long winter days. The apartments come in a range of sizes and prices to accommodate a large cross section of the population.

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BIG’s design is on the edge of urbanity ^[11] both physically and conceptually. The offices and retail at the lower floor provide pedestrian access throughout the complex’s entire footprint. Pedestrians have access to a path that transverses the roof of 8 Tallet as well, providing exercise and expansive views of the adjacent plains of Amager.  A short walk to the Metro provides access to the whole of Copenhagen ^[12] — a city emerging as one of the greenest cities in the world. Here is a refreshingly interactive video ^[13] explaining more.

+ Bjarke Ingels Group ^[6]

+ 8 Tallet ^[5]