Using Existing Technology to Create Optimal Solutions for People and the Planet

The Living Places Copenhagen project has been selected by the jury as the 2024 Architizer A+Awards winner in the Sustainable Private House category, as well as the Popular Choice winner in the Architecture+Innovation category, voted by the public. The “Sustainable Private House” category awards private housing projects that incorporate sustainable systems and materials, and follow best practices within ethical design, construction, and operation. The “Architecture+Innovation” category is dedicated to projects that unlock new ways to build, including incorporating new, experimental, or unconventional design concepts and materials, or that rethink traditional approaches in pioneering ways. Both awards testify to the importance of the Living Places project on the global architecture scene.

Photo credit: Adam Mork

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

In April 2023, the VELUX Group, EFFEKT architects, Artelia engineers, and Enemærke & Petersen contractors opened the doors to Living Places Copenhagen in the Railway District in Copenhagen – the first prototype of the overall Living Places concept. The vision behind the project is to lead the way in the building industry and show how rethinking buildings can help solve some of the global climate and health challenges. The concept is based on five key principles that aim to make homes that are healthy, adaptive, simple, shared over time, and scalable. These guiding principles are relevant to both new constructions and established communities.

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

With the project, the VELUX Group and its partners demonstrate how to build homes with a CO2 footprint of 3.85 kg/CO2/m2/, and to a price that matches the market price for a one-family house or rowhouses at scale. Furthermore, Living Places Copenhagen is designed with a strong focus on creating a healthy indoor climate using daylight and fresh air, and it delivers a first-class indoor climate.

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

As a part of the project, the partners carried out a complete Life Cycle Assessment, which means that each material, design, and building technique has been carefully considered and mapped in terms of the emissions they project compared to a typical Danish household. Based on that assessment, the project shows that we do not have to wait for future technology to build homes that benefit both people and the planet.

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

Living Places Copenhagen
Photo credit: Adam Mork

In 2023, Living Places Copenhagen won the EY Sustainability Award in the innovation category, the Innovative Design Award of Bo Bedre magazine, as well as the “Sustainable Future Award” and the “Merit Award for Architecture” from the American Institute of Architects. In March 2024, Living Places Copenhagen won the “Active House Radar Master Award” and the MIPIM 2024 award for “Best Residential Project”.

VELUX Group

VELUX roof windows have been bringing daylight and fresh air into peoples’ homes around the world for more than 80 years, creating better living environments. The Company offers a range of products including roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products, and roller shutters, as well as installation and smart home solutions. Working globally, with sales and manufacturing operations in 37 countries, and approximately 11,700 employees worldwide.