A revolutionary new project in
Copenhagen designed by Bjarke Ingels Group Architects has turned a
waste-to-energy plant into a 95,000 square metre tourist attraction.
Located on Amager island, the
Amager Resource Centre incorporates a ski slope into the roof, walking trails
and a rock-climbing wall up one face.
All this build on the island’s
reputation for extreme sports enthusiasts, thanks to its parks, beaches, dunes
and lagoon for kayaking and windsurfing.
Nicknamed Amager Bakke, or Amager
Hill, the 100m building will incinerate over 435,000 tons of waste per year and
serve about 140,000 local households.
Given the potential dangers of such a
massive operation, Kalwall translucent
cladding has been used extensively not only for its aesthetics and energy
efficiency but also for its excellent explosion-venting and blast-resistant
properties.
Kalwall can be specifically
designed to be the weak point in the building envelope in order to relieve
pressure created by any explosion, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the
primary structure and the occupants.
The panels work to vent pressure
out of the building, allowing it to withstand an explosion without collapsing
roofs or floors. The panels are designed to release from their mounting system
but remain attached to the side of the building to avoid becoming falling
debris.
The interior of the panels are
shatterproof and include a Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) face sheets that can
be customized to withstand 230 ft-lbs (312J) of impact. They can be 1500mm or
1200mm wide and of any length up to 3250mm. By following design criteria, the
system will achieve FM (Factory Mutual) approval.
In addition to the safety aspect,
Kalwall also provides dramatic savings in energy consumption. The even
distribution and deep penetration of light through Kalwall means less
artificial lighting is needed thereby reducing energy costs while its exceptional
thermal performance and insulating properties reduce heating costs.
