Work Begins on BIG’s Waste to Energy Ski Slope Project in Copenhagen

At the end of 2011, we were almost certain that BIG's fantastical, double-duty <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bigs-waste-to-energy-ski-slope-incinerator-scrapped-due-to-environmental-concerns/" target="_blank">ski resort and waste to energy plant</a> was dead in the water. Now, we're surprised to learn that the project has been given the go-ahead and has already broke ground. According to <a href="http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&amp;upload_id=22156" target="_blank">WAN</a>, work has begun today on the 95,000 sq m <a href="http://inhabitat.com/big-unveils-a-waste-incinerator-ski-slope-for-copenhagen" target="_blank">Amagerforbrændingen Energy Plant</a> outside of Copenhagen. The plant will incinerate trash and turn it into energy for the city, while also serving as a destination recreation spot and an urban ski resort. We've got a lot of mixed feelings about this project as it burns trash and releases tons of CO2, but we do like the multi-purpose functionality and green strategies wrapped into the design. Guess we'll have to hide and watch.

The a href="http://inhabitat.com/big-unveils-a-waste-incinerator-ski-slope-for-copenhagen" target="_blank"&gt;Amagerforbrændingen Energy Plant</a> was originally proposed back in 2011, but was then denied by the City of Copenhagen at the end of 2011.

They <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bigs-waste-to-energy-ski-slope-incinerator-scrapped-due-to-environmental-concerns/" target="_blank">cited environmental concerns</a> as the reason to turn the project down as the waste company wanted to increase the capacity of the plant - meaning burning more waste and releasing more CO2.

At the same time, Europe has a growing waste problem, not enough landfill space and not a high enough recycling rate to not burn their trash.

BIG's proposal, while certainly not perfect, takes a necessary evil and turns it into something useful.

The project, which broke ground on March 4th, 2013, will take the city's waste and burn it to create energy in return.

A special smoke stack will collect the emissions and then release them in a ring equivalent to 1 tonne of CO2.

The hope is that this will bring more awareness to waste and energy production.

Rather than a boring power plant, the top of the facility will be built as a ski resort with runs for all levels and even a terrain park.

The surrounding area will also provide expanded recreation space and green areas. Vegetation will be planted in the specially designed exterior to make the plant like a large green mountain.

Infographic detailing waste, recycling and waste to energy plants in Denmark.

Recreation plans for the ski resort/waste plant.