Niels Bohr Building by Christensen and Co: Sustainable Research Hub

This blog post examines the newly completed Niels Bohr Building at the University of Copenhagen. The 2024 project by Christensen & Co. Architects consolidates the Faculty of Science into a 55,000 square meter home for research and interdisciplinary education.

As an architect and engineer with three decades of experience, I’ll break down the building’s design intentions and its programmatic balance between labs and communal spaces. I’ll also discuss its significance for academic culture and Danish architectural tradition.

Design intent: honoring Niels Bohr while shaping future science

The architects, led by Vibeke Lydolph Lindblad and Christian Egedius Bendtsen, set out to craft more than a collection of laboratories. They aimed to create a living academic ecosystem.

Drawing inspiration from physicist Niels Bohr and the scientific community he fostered in Copenhagen, the project seeks to translate that spirit into built form. The design is rigorous, open, and collaborative.

Spatial strategies that encourage collaboration

The building aims to flatten traditional hierarchies, bringing students, professors, and researchers into the same flow of spaces. The plan alternates specialized research wings with shared areas—lounges, study nooks, and social corridors—to encourage encounters and cross-disciplinary exchange.

Specialized facilities for experimentation sit next to flexible common spaces. These areas are designed to host seminars, informal discussions, and joint problem-solving sessions.

Technical excellence and programmatic balance

Integrating advanced laboratories with public study environments requires careful zoning of services. The building uses robust HVAC strategies and adaptable utility distribution.

The 55,000 square meter footprint allows separation of sensitive technical functions while maintaining connections to communal zones.

Key programmatic moves include:

Cultural resonance and architectural identity

By referencing Bohr’s collaborative ethos, the building serves as both a tribute and a functional model. It demonstrates how science thrives when disciplines come together.

Denmark’s tradition of blending utility with cultural sensitivity is evident in material choices and public-facing spaces. The architecture is pragmatic for research and generous toward the university community.

What this means for academic architecture

For practice and pedagogy, the project offers several takeaways. First, research infrastructure should be conceived as social infrastructure.

Investments in shared spaces pay dividends in collaboration. Successful scientific buildings require integrated design teams that combine architectural creativity with engineering precision.

Published by ArchDaily in September 2025, the Niels Bohr Building is presented as a forward-looking example for universities worldwide. It shows how honoring intellectual legacy can be paired with contemporary needs for adaptability and sustainability.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Niels Bohr Building / Christensen & Co. Architects