On October 29, 2024, His Majesty King Frederik X inaugurated the new Niels Bohr Building at the University of Copenhagen. Designed in close collaboration with CCO Architects, the building is more than a facility; it is a tribute to one of Denmark’s greatest scientific minds and a platform for new generations of discovery.

The Niels Bohr Building was conceived as a living embodiment of Niels Bohr’s pioneering values: openness, dialogue, and the fusion of ideas. It brings together the University of Copenhagen’s Faculties of Science and Computer Science into a single, interdisciplinary environment where silos give way to shared knowledge.

The campus consists of two building volumes united by an elevated skywalk over Jagtvej—symbolically and physically linking education, research, and the wider community. At the heart of the building lies the Troposphere: a striking, infinity-shaped atrium encircled by nine distinct departmental towers, each with its own material and color identity. Here, architecture supports orientation, community, and daily interaction.

More than 200 blackboards and 47 informal coffee spots serve as intuitive meeting points, inviting spontaneous conversations and collaborative breakthroughs. It’s a place designed for both concentrated focus and vibrant academic life.

Architecture in Service of Science and Sustainability
Throughout the building, we’ve worked to create a light-filled, flexible, and user-centered environment. Carefully positioned courtyards and a high-performance double façade bring daylight deep into the structure while regulating temperature and air quality through natural ventilation. Rain gardens not only manage stormwater but double as lush, inviting social spaces. On the exterior, “megapixel” façade panels reference scientific patterns, merging function with meaning.

Inside, specialized labs, adaptable workspaces, and inclusive circulation zones ensure the building remains accessible and human in scale. Every design decision—from facade to furniture—supports scientific innovation, collaboration, and well-being.

A Future-Ready Framework for Discovery
We are proud to have designed a building that reflects the spirit of one of science’s greatest thinkers while supporting the needs of today’s researchers and students. As King Frederik X toured the facility, meeting the people who bring it to life, we were reminded of what great architecture can do: not only house progress, but help shape it.

The Niels Bohr Building stands as a testament to environmental leadership, architectural clarity, and the power of human-centered design. Together with CCO, we’ve created a space where legacy and forward-thinking design come together—built to inspire the future of science.