Saxo Bank : Copenhagen, Denmark
Charlotte Mullery
Principles + Elements
The Saxo Bank Building is organized by three prominent principles and elements: FORM, CONTRAST, and RHYTHM. Strong verticals blended with smooth curved horizontals create a sturdy form of upward reaching MOTION. The contrasting clear and white windows covering the entire building create a RHYHTMIC PATTERN enhancing EMPHASIS on the building in relation to it’s surroundings.
Connections
This building draws inspiration from the surrounding waterfront of the Øresund that connects the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. Additionally, the buildings function greatly influenced the aesthetics of the building. The Saxo Bank building serves as the headquarters for both digital trading and administrative work. Components representing stability and growth are emphasized to create connection between company mission, use, and structure.
Materials
The simple modern design of this building is created with three major materials, glass, aluminum, and wood. The exterior facade is completely glass and aluminum while the interior is white aluminum and wood. This minimalist material selection allows focus to fall on the architecture itself as well as its connection to the surrounding nature and company mission.
Light + Color
The beauty of a predominantly glass facade means that at night the interior lights will pour out of the geometric window panes illuminating the street and reflecting onto the straight. The white interior allows for color from the outside world and the humans inside to reflect onto the walls. The green tinted glass mimics the ocean color seen in the water adding to the seaside architecture motif. In the image above the blue sky and red and green lights filter their way onto the exterior and into the interior adding elements of color depending on the time of day and surroundings. Although not illustrated above the building uses interior furnishings to implement bright colors and engaging artwork that adds color into the neutral background.
Experience
This space is designed for active online trading and the space reflects this mission for growth. The main spiral staircase and surrounding seating, conference rooms, and office spaces are designed to have a clean, minimal, calming atmosphere. The bright open concept of this space fosters connection and growth with art scattered around the interior creating intellectual intrigue.
Theories
The design of the Saxo Bank Building focuses on office landscape and the theories of transparency, equality, and spontaneous interaction being promoted via open floor plans and communal gathering and transportation spaces. There are both office cells as well as open-plan office spaces allowing for a flexible work environment. The central staircase serves as a meeting point for all levels of employees fostering an equal hierarchy of company structure.
Technology
The Saxo Bank Building utilizes large generator and HVAC technology to maintain the interior’s temperature and energy. In addition to the these technologies the building itself is an example of the use of triangles as strength and materiality technology. Aluminum and glass structures became popular in the 1920-20’s with cheaper production costs and a more sustainable choice for windows, this technology is still used today in the Saxo Bank Building.
Finishes
The exterior finishes of the building include green tinted glass and white aluminum panels and columns. The interior features white walls, light wood flooring, navy carpet flooring panels, and royal blue and bright orange leather furniture. The neutral space and color palette of the floor and walls allows the furniture and artwork to take the forefront of peoples interest.
Furnishings
Traditional office furniture makes up most of this buildings furnishings with leather Eames soft pad group management chairs, large conference tables, small individual wooden desks, cafe style seating with wooden Arne Jacobson style shell chairs. This variety of midcentury modern furniture gives these spaces an elevated clean look. The color integrated into the leather chairs inspires intrigue, while all elements are designed for comfort of both the client and employee.
Telling Stories
This building is a physical representation of the Banks’ core beliefs. “Ultimately everything we do as a company is focused on getting curious people invested in the world” (Saxo Bank | About Us). I think the unique form of the building paired with the colorful furniture and art brings this mission to life. The building reflects the clean, simple, innovative, and intriguing services Saxo Bank offers.
