KB Hallen, Copenhagen – An enduring, cultural landmark using WICONA facades.

In 2011 one of Denmark's great cultural institutions, K.B. Hallen, burned to the ground. Since the hall was ruined, it was decided to demolish the building. In the new design, Christensen & Co. Architects has drawn inspiration from the original building, updating the design but making sure that the new design still rings true among the memories of the local population. WICONA has supplied both façades, doors and windows for the new KB Hallen.

Since 1938, the hall had functioned as a cultural generator of big events in Copenhagen, such as concerts, sports events and fairs. The new K.B. Hallen was inaugurated on December 5, 2018, and, at the same time, introduced as an architectonic re-imagin-ing. In its new form, K.B. Hallen will actively contribute to the cultural life of the local area. Its open façade secures that the pulsating life of the arena can be seen and that they become part of the surroundings. Because of the big glass façades, bypassers are easily attracted to the venue by the light and life.

When guests arrive via Peter Bangs Vej, they will enter by the front square towards the bright and open building to easily pass through the glass doors and become part of the arena. Here, great stairs guide guests to the first floor where a series of lounges and bars make for a pleasant introduction to the cultural experiences that takes place under the dome ceiling.

The old arena had a special textural feeling that was intensified by a wealth of the col-ours of time. Instead of trying to re-create this feeling with modern paint, it has been in-terpreted using natural material which gives the arena texture – within and without.
 

Topmodern multifunctioned arena with a possible lifespan of over 100 years.

K.B. Hallen is recreated using solid material such as bamboo, handpainted brick latches, and concrete molded on location. With its glow and structure these materials give the arena its special feeling. On the façade custom molded and white-glazed brick latches will give the "floating" first floor a broken, yet alive geometry which reacts with light and interacts with the surroundings.

Another DNA-track that has been elaborated is the massive concrete construction of the old arena. As a tribute to the original arena, the almost 20 meter tall concrete wall has been re-established in the entrance hall with wood inserted which gives the con-crete a special structure. This wall is the first thing visitors see when they enter the en-trance hall.

K.B. Hallen has been rebuilt with a strong focus on the future generations of athletes, concert goers and Copenhageners with modern functionalities of a quality and a sturdi-ness that stands side by side with the original arena. The raw constructions has been welded in steel and on location molded concrete constructions which secures the big pillarless spread, sturdiness, oustanding noise suppression for both concert goers and neighbours of the arena – all in all a topmodern multifunctioned arena with a possible lifespan of over 100 years.

Transparent WICONA element facades brings openness to the city

The building façades consist of WICONA's WICTEC 50 systems. It creates a slim look-ing with maximum transparency both exterior and interior. The WICONA WICLINE 75 evo window system and WICSTYLE 75 evo door systems was also used for the project due to its top rated thermal insulating performance.

The 40-meter wide and eye-catching facade is central to the new multi-arena. Through the large gable, light is brought to the building, with openness to the city. The WICONA facade elements rise up to 8.5 meters in height. “You can easily create something unique with our system products. We have a philosophy of simplicity in design and pro-duction, that enable customized solutions at the same time as the manufacturing is effi-cient, no special tools are needed”, says Henrik Sørensen, sales manager, WICONA Denmark. The KB Hallen reopening to the public was in January 2019.

Project: KB Hallen
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Architect: Christensen & Co. Architects
Metal builder: Bent Pedersen Lunde A/S
Contractor: Einar Kornerup A/S
WICONA solutions: WICTEC 50, WICLINE 75 evo, WICSTYLE 75 evo
Photos: Copyright Erik Wik

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WICTEC 50

• Ideal for vertical and polygon façades, sloped glazing and spatial structures.
• Individual design thanks to a wide range of profile geometries for the structural and glazing profiles.
• Alternative: Industrial design for technical look of steel profiles.
• Reliable glass load transmission (up to 5.6 kN), with adapted transom-joint technology.
• Overlapping and secure drainage at the cross point, without mechanical mullion processing, ensures tried-and-tested impermeability.
• Filigree look without any change in appearance to the inner mullion and transom gaskets.
• Broad selection of profiles enables economic adaptation to structural requirements, with the additional option of internal reinforcement.
• Glazing from outside with visible or concealed screws.
• Extensive solutions for structure junctions and conservatories.

WICLINE 75 evo evo

• High insulation multi-chamber system in symmetric design, quality assured thermal insulator connection.
• Patented corner and butt joint connection Technology for high rigidity of frames and sashes.
• Infill thickness up to 69 mm.

WICSTYLE 75

• High insulation multi-chamber system in symmetric design, quality assured thermal insulator connection.
• For single and double leaf hinged doors.
• For inward and outward opening.
• For glass or panels with infill thickness from 6 mm to 60 mm.
• Various threshold profiles with or without thermal break, also barrier free.
• Fanlights, lateral glazings fixed or opening in combination with WICLINE evo window series.

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A German brand founded in Ulm in 1948, WICONA has become a global benchmark for technologically advanced aluminium solutions for curtain walls, solar protection, doors and windows, including bullet and fireproof systems. It has introduced to the market the most advanced innovations that have been progressively adopted by all manufacturers, including the thermal breaks for aluminium frames.

WICONA continues to demonstrate its focus on efficiency and sustainability by using thermal insulation strips made from recycled polyamide, which helps to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. With sustainability being one of the brand’s key objectives, WICONA controls all the production phases to guarantee the optimal performance of its systems and, together with designers and façade developers, creates customised solutions constantly pushing the boundaries of energy efficient and sustainable buildings. WICONA belongs to the Norwegian company Hydro, a fully integrated aluminium company with 35,000 employees in 40 countries on all continents, combining local expertise, worldwide reach and unmatched capabilities in R&D.

>> www.wicona.com

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