Aalborg Police Station
The police station was originally built in 1966 with APA as the architect. The building is designed as a simple corridor structure with a concrete gable and continuous concrete bands in the facade.
The extension is connected to the original building via a three-story lightweight structure with glass facades and suspended bridges that link the new and the old administrative buildings. A prominent vertical wall clad in stainless steel plates conveys the transition between the two buildings. The new administrative building features facades of highly polished black African granite, presenting itself as a precise monolith.
Facts
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Lead Consultant
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The Chief of Police
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Aalborg, Denmark
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4,000 sqm extension, 8,000 sqm renovation
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Completed in 1998
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Artist Hjørdis Haack
Hover to see the change
A monolith in the urban landscape
In stark contrast to its surroundings, the new administrative extension rises at the corner of the intersection as a massive, monolithic structure. The choice of black color enhances the symbolism surrounding the building's authoritative function.
Despite its massive expression, there is a focus on creating a natural transition to the context through the glossy surfaces, which creates a merging reflection of the sky and the surroundings. This is further emphasized by the consciously convex form directed towards the road, making the extension appear smaller in the urban landscape
Manifestation of time
The building as a whole can be interpreted as a manifestation of the chronological architectural history of the police station, representing the union of old and new, underscored by the walkways and separated by the intersecting steel-clad wall. The wall's design language is echoed in the elevator tower in front of the building, which ensures accessibility for all users.
Golden tones
Upon entering through the concealing facade, one is greeted by a stroke of warmth through the use of wooden materials and golden details. The warmth penetrating the building is also illustrated by the rays of sunlight that create a play of light on the reflective metal cladding. The clean lines and systematic design are maintained throughout the police station.
