Old Silo Transformed Into ‘Rural High-Rise’ in Denmark

Towns all over Denmark are spotted with numerous silos that have fallen to disuse, and yet the silo remains a common architectural gesture soaring above the rural landscape. One of these towns, Løgten, north of Aarhus, decided to transform their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/abandoned-industrial-silo-becomes-beautiful-residences-in-denmark/" target="_blank">silo complex into a 'rural high-rise'</a> and mixed-use development. Danish firm <a href="../../copenhagen-science-tower-enhances-community-but-sips-energy/" target="_blank">C. F. Møller</a> took the reins on this <a href="http://inhabitat.com/dilapidated-18th-century-church-transformed-into-a-private-home/" target="_blank">adaptive reuse</a> project using the silo as the core of the structure, which now hosts an elevator and staircase, with a collection of apartments built on a frame encircling the renewed structure.

The abandoned silo remains in its original form and serves as the service core for the apartments as well as the base for the roof terrace.

A steel structure serves as the frame for the 21 apartments that surround the silo, each varied in order to provide views, ample daylight and privacy.

These block like apartments enjoy private patios and each hosts a view of Århus Bay.

The base of the high-rise is a new 'village center' with a public plaza and a mixed-use complex with shops and supermarket.

Surrounding the residential tower is a green park with small allotments of land for the residents.

Residents of the tower and surrounding neighborhoods can conveniently shop without having to travel far. The addition of the public space also encourages community activity.

The rural high rise is also very unique in that no other tower can be built to the same height, since it is a conversion and not a new building.

Thus the residents of Siloetten enjoy views and a living situation in Løgten that can not be replicated, making the high rise a desirable place to live.

The mixed use village center offers shopping, groceries and space for residents and neighbors to gather and meet.

The former silo on the left and the renovated 'rural high-rise' on the right.

A model of the tower.