Lean Construction on Bispebjerg Bakke

The project, Bispebjerg Bakke, is called one of the most amazing building projects in Denmark in recent times because of the complicated design and building components. It was a project where the architecture, the craftsmanship and the use of materials was tested, but because of the use of the management tool Lean Construction, was the building project more efficiently and ended up being cheaper than first expected.

The building is design by Bjørn Nørgaard, a Danish sculptor, which formed the building in clay inspired by music, and then handed it over for the architect firm Boldsen & Holm. They started building in 2004, and was done in 2006, where135 different apartments spread over 11 houses were ready for relocation. Today the buildings adorn the area around Bispebjerg and winds like a big snake through the landscape, to eventually rise from a 4 storey building, up to a 7 store in the end. The idea was to deal with the classic apartments-blocks in the area, and build something spectacular, but keep the design in the traditionally way with red and yellow bricks.

The challenge for this construction was the curved copper roof and the masonry work because of the curved façades, designed in different colors – yellow on one façade and red on the other facade. Like it was in the old days. No building like this was never build before in Denmark, so the craftsmanship got a big and complicated job.

Context

The ambition with Bispebjerg Bakke was, through the combination of art, architecture and craftsmanship, to build a beautiful and durable housing development, which should be in harmony with the surroundings and the landscape. The idea came at a meeting between the sculptor Bjørn Nørgaard and the President for the Association for Craftsmen in Copenhagen – they both had a vision about building with quality materials that last almost forever, combined with the idea of that art should affect the society and that the surroundings – here the building – should have influences on our joy of life.

The project consist 135 apartments spread over 11 buildings, where the special common copper roof combine the buildings. Most of the apartments are built in two or three level to provide a unique space feeling, and every apartment is without any right angels in the living- and bedroom, because of the curved facades.

The project became a partnering-case, which enabled the different contractors to contribute each with their competencies at the optimal time in the process. It also meant that the contractors were find in the early stages to help making the ‘art sculpture’ to a real home.

The project took 2 years to complete, from 2004 to 2006, with a cost of nearly XXX DKK, and involved 28 bricklayers to the masonry work when it was busiest.