All it takes is one glance at Billund, Denmark’s newest office campus to quickly identify which company will be taking residence there. Fully equipped with giant LEGO bricks on the roof and integrated into the facade, LEGO Group recently opened the first phase of its new campus, which, when completed, will span 581,250 sf and house 2,000 employees.
Designed by C.F. Møller Architects, the two buildings were inspired by a painting in Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen’s (the LEGO Group owner) office of a boy holding up a building he made with LEGO bricks. The goal of the design was to express LEGO Group’s core values of imagination, creativity, fun, learning, caring, and quality.
The interior space is highlighted by colorful textured walls resembling LEGO bricks and decorated with LEGO creations of familiar faces such as Spongebob Squarepants, Winnie the Pooh, and LEGO “minifigs” dressed as firefighters, police officers, etc. And while the spaces look like all fun and games, they were designed to help employees produce their best work.
See Also: Chicago’s long-gestating luxury condo tower nears construction
“In the same way you build with LEGO bricks, we took elements our people love and brought them all together to create something unique,” said Anneke Beerkens, Senior Workplace Anthropologist, LEGO Group, in a release. “For example, employees told us that they wanted the freedom to choose an environment that suited them best for whatever they were working on, but also liked to stay close to teammates. So we built team ‘neighbourhoods’ which are a mix of individual and collaborative workspaces designed to create a caring environment where people can do great quality work.”
Sustainability was also a key tenet of the design. 4,150 solar panels cover the roof of a nearby parking garage and produce more than 1 million kWh, which will supply half of the energy needed to power the campus. Additionally, the new buildings’ rooftops are covered with Sedum plants, which absorb water and CO2, and rainwater will be used to irrigate parks in the campus area.
The full eight-building campus is slated for completion in 2021. A large central area, dubbed the “People House” will feature a large auditorium, fitness center, arts and crafts workshop, cafe, and accommodation for employees visiting from out of town.
Related Stories
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-rise features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Architects | Apr 6, 2023
New tool from Perkins&Will will make public health data more accessible to designers and architects
Called PRECEDE, the dashboard is an open-source tool developed by Perkins&Will that draws on federal data to identify and assess community health priorities within the U.S. by location. The firm was recently awarded a $30,000 ASID Foundation Grant to enhance the tool.
Architects | Apr 6, 2023
Design for belonging: An introduction to inclusive design
The foundation of modern, formalized inclusive design can be traced back to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The movement has developed beyond the simple rules outlined by ADA regulations resulting in features like mothers’ rooms, prayer rooms, and inclusive restrooms.
Sustainability | Apr 4, 2023
NIBS report: Decarbonizing the U.S. building sector will require massive, coordinated effort
Decarbonizing the building sector will require a massive, strategic, and coordinated effort by the public and private sectors, according to a report by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).
Legislation | Mar 24, 2023
New York lawmakers set sights on unsafe lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters
Lawmakers in New York City and statewide have moved to quell the growing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters.
Government Buildings | Mar 24, 2023
19 federal buildings named GSA Design Awards winners
After a six-year hiatus, the U.S. General Services Administration late last year resumed its esteemed GSA Design Awards program. In all, 19 federal building projects nationwide were honored with 2022 GSA Design Awards, eight with Honor Awards and 11 with Citations.
Mass Timber | Mar 19, 2023
A 100% mass timber construction project is under way in North Carolina
An office building 100% made from mass timber has started construction within the Live Oak Bank campus in Wilmington, N.C. The 67,000-sf structure, a joint building venture between the GCs Swinerton and Wilmington-headquartered Monteith Construction, is scheduled for completion in early 2024.
Urban Planning | Mar 16, 2023
Three interconnected solutions for 'saving' urban centers
Gensler Co-CEO Andy Cohen explores how the global pandemic affected city life, and gives three solutions for revitalizing these urban centers.
Sponsored | Cladding and Facade Systems | Mar 15, 2023
Metal cladding trends and innovations
Metal cladding is on a growth trajectory globally. This is reflected in rising demand for rainscreen cladding and architectural metal coatings. This course covers the latest trends and innovations in the metal cladding market.
