A milestone in modern Danish architecture

- CBS buildings commended

A genuine masterpiece and a milestone in modern Danish architecture. This is how Kilen (The Wedge), CBS’s latest building, has been described, as described by the committee that has just awarded prizes to buildings in Frederiksberg council.

CBS has been awarded the prize for both Kilen and the campus area, where the grounds and promenade bring the CBS buildings together to form a city space of exceptional high quality, according to the committee.

Finance and scheduling under control

Director for Campus Facilities, Gert Bechlund, is proud of the prestigious award, especially because both projects were completed ahead of schedule and within the original budget.

- Normally we wouldn’t draw attention to this as anything special. But lately, we have seen countless examples of larger public building projects that have cost more money and have taken longer to build than planned. In light of this, it is particularly satisfying that we have had the finances and time planning totally under control, says Gert Bechlund.

Learning environment in a class of its own

For CBS, it’s all about providing an environment for learning that consists of more than just buildings, because the surroundings have to attract Danish and international students, and researchers.

- We are competing against foreign business schools and because of this, it is crucial that we are able to offer an attractive learning atmosphere. The facilities are, first and foremost, a contributing factor to a good learning experience. But, in our opinion, it’s also about the fact that appealing aesthetics and architecture encourage inspiration and creativity, says Gert Bechlund.

From a characterless building to part of a living campus

Kilen was built in 2004 and 2005, and is the result of an architectural competition. It cost 290 million kroner for the building to be completed and today, the large atrium and the five floors are filled with both Danish and international students, and researchers.

In addition to Kilen and the campus area, the buildings at 60 Howitzvej were also commended by the committee and have received an honourable mention. The reasoning behind this was that these buildings are a good example of success in getting a previously characterless building to interact naturally with existing buildings.

Kilen (The Wedge)

Architechts Lundgaard & Tranberg were responsible for the design of Kilen, while landscape architect Marianne Levinsen created the surrounding campus area in collaboration with Algren & Bruun, Landscape Architects.

In 2006, Kilen was awarded the prestigious British architecture prize, the RIBA Award, by the Royal Institute of British Architects.