Daylight gives us an understanding of where we are in the world and of the spaces, we find ourselves in every day. The ‘Poetic Daylight’ pavilion, unfolds the spatial qualities of daylight, where the perceptual, aesthetic and poetic potential of daylight can be experienced in a series of spaces.
Location: Copenhagen Contemporary, Refshaleøen
Period: July 1 – October 30
The (P)recast pavilion challenges conventional attitudes towards precast concrete in sustainable, equitable urban development.
As Denmark faces a wave of demolitions targeting post-war social housing, the (P)recast pavilion is taking a stand against the perception of these buildings as outdated and unattractive. (P)recast showcases innovative use of precast concrete elements, a construction system that has dominated the Danish industry since the 1950s.
ARCHITECTS:
GXN
PARTNERS:
Teknologisk Institut
Aarsleff
COWI
Aarhus Universitet
Tscherning
Søndergaard
Peikko
Hi-Con
Dansk Standard
Dansk Beton
AP Pension
Brabrand Boligforening
SEE MORE:
https://gxn.3xn.com/project/precast
The (P)recast research project explores the potential of reusing building components from structures built in Denmark from the 1950s onwards. With these buildings far from reaching their technical lifespan, the team questions whether their components can be reused in new construction, reducing resource consumption and could help Denmark meet its Paris Climate Agreement commitments. An innovative approach, with few references, making the pavilion the first of its kind in Denmark to showcase the reuse of unaltered precast concrete elements.
The concrete elements have been harvested in various demolitions in the metropolitan area of Copenhagen carried out by Tscherning & Søndergaard. The timber used to build the frames are harvested from Jagtvej 169 in the Østerbro borough of Copenhagen and is over 150 years old, however still fit to lift the heavy concrete.
Continously through the research project, the outcome will be shared with social housing corporations and municipalities across Denmark, empowering them to implement the reuse of precast concrete elements as soon as possible.
The partnership highlights industry-wide collaborative research within the methods and future of reuse of precast concrete elements.
“This pavilion showcases the demolition techniques necessary to implement full-scale reuse of precast concrete elements. The pavilion exhibits the elements whole, and without alteration to illuminate the fragility and aesthetics they have undressed. The pavilion structure is constructed with solely reused building materials, all of which are harvested in the metropolitan area of Copenhagen and is designed for disassembly such that the elements will return to use after the exhibition.”

Bjørn-Tore Johannesen
Sustainability Engineer GXN

Lasse Lind
Partner & Architect GXN


AFTERLIFE
After ended exhibition period, the pavilion will be disassembled and moved to a different location for further research.

OTHER PAVILIONS
Reflections in Common
Architecture is only given meaning once we interact with it. The concept of the Pavilion ‘Reflections in Common’ is materialised in the design, which allows people to look at themselves against the backdrop of the city.
The Greenhouse
A space inviting entrepreneurs, visitors and the local community to reconnect with nature and learn the importance of nurturing ecosystems for current and future generations.
OBEL AWARD: unPAVILION
The unPAVILION is a statement piece – that prompts curiosity, debate, and reflection on our contemporary and future uses of resources. It also points to the counterproductive nature of greenwashing.
Tower of Wind
A monument celebrating sustainable architecture, in which the public can experience a journey through the history of meteorology.
The Raft
A sensory structure landing on one of Copenhagen canal’s floating platforms, aiming at offering visitors a direct and playful sensorial experience with the water.
From 4 to 1 Planet
How do we reduce climate impact from residential buildings to a fourth of the current level without compromising on attractivity and liveability?
Find three different answers to this question in our three pavilions, developed by next generations architects.
Bricks in Common
The brick pavilion ‘Bricks in Common’ brings our attention to this double bind: brick has a potentially long lifespan – it is, however, also a very energy-consuming material to produce. If we want brick to play a larger part of the sustainable development, we need further innovation, development, and more design for disassembly.
Plastic Pavilion: Building Sustainable Societies
Future building materials need to be sustainable, meaning that they are reusable or recyclable, and preferably made from recycled content. Many of the synthetic materials, plastic, and other polymers have these properties while at the same time being durable, lightweight, cheap, and easy to shape.
Living Places Copenhagen
Living Places Copenhagen – the first seven prototypes of the concept, show how we can develop sustainable buildings with a three times lower CO2 footprint and a first-class indoor climate. The concept holds the lowest CO2 emissions in Denmark, demonstrating that we do not have to wait for future technology to build more sustainably
Feed Back
Different lenses on food systems. The pavilion uses virtual spatial design to guide the audience through an exhibition that explores the content of the publication in a gallery-like experience. Users take part of the exhibit space by using their own mobile devices through virtual reality features.
Bio-centre
Architects Without Border’s pavilion is an interpretation of one of their actual development projects, the “Bio-Centre”. Through basic sanitary functions, a bio-center provides crucial services in a densely packed slum – while creating a social focal point.