Un City
A Unified, Efficient, and Sustainable Building Complex
A UNIFIED, EFFICIENT, AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING COMPLEX
SPECIES FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE: Tali
FIND INFORMATION ON THIS AND ADDITIONAL SPECIES AT WWW.IWPAWOOD.ORG
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ADAM MÕRK
THE STRUCTURE’S EIGHT-WINGED STAR DESIGN IS A REFERENCE TO THE UN’S OPERATIONS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD.
WOOD APPLICATIONS PROVIDE VISUAL AND PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS, AS ICONIC WOODEN STAIRS JOIN THE OUTER SPACE TO THE OPEN FLOORS IN THE ATRIUM.
The United Nations City in Copenhagen, Denmark, located on an artificial island on Marble Pier (Marmolmolen), provides office space for approximately 1,500 employees from 104 countries. FN Byen—or UN City—is a city within a city. It houses 11 different UN agencies in a campus environment that embodies the ‘one UN’ approach of a unified, collaborative, and efficient global organization. Designed by human-centric architects 3XN, the structure’s eightwinged star design is a reference to the UN’s operations in every corner of the world.
The UN City’s waterfront façade was constructed with strong consideration for the environment using FSC- certified Tali (Erythrophleum spp.). Tali, an African hardwood known for its durability, was also chosen for the decking that surrounds the UN City. For those crossing the beautiful waterfront on the access decks, Tali literally paves the way to the UN’s promise of justice, respect, human rights, and a sustainable future.
Growing conditions impact its color, but Tali heartwood typically ranges from yellowish brown to reddish brown. The wood is photosensitive and darkens with continued exposure to light. Its common nickname ‘red water tree’ refers to the red sap of the bark, which can turn water reddish. Tali is moderately lustrous, has a coarse texture, highly interlocked grain, and a slightly waxy feel and appearance.
Watch a short tour of UN City Copenhagen.
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Tali is stable, durable, and resistant to fungi and termites. It is popular in Europe for marine and bridge construction, and boat building. It is also used for heavy duty hydraulic applications, decking, flooring, and sound barriers.
UN City was designed with openness and security in mind. Wood applications provide visual and physical connections, as iconic wooden stairs join the outer space to the open floors in the atrium. Inside, daily life centers around the light atrium, offering visual and physical connections across floors and units.
TALI WAS CHOSEN FOR THE DECKING THAT SURROUNDS THE UN CITY. FOR THOSE CROSSING THE BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT ON THE ACCESS DECKS, TALI LITERALLY PAVES THE WAY TO THE UN’S PROMISE OF JUSTICE, RESPECT, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
The complex was designed with a focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness. At the same time, security and accessibility standards were central considerations and throughout the building, security and openness are meant to be experienced as two sides of the same coin.
Visit the UN’s website page about UN City Copenhagen.
Through various innovative and sustainable initiatives, the UN City uses 55 percent less energy than comparable office buildings of similar size. With an annual energy consumption of less than 50 KwH per square meter, it is one of Denmark’s most energy efficient buildings.
THE 1,400 DUAL WING FOLDING SHUTTERS ARE IN CONTINUOUS MOTION AS THE LIGHT MOVES AROUND THE BUILDING DURING THE DAY.
3XN CREATED THE STAIRCASE AS A DRAMATIC SPATIAL SCULPTURE, WHICH IS TO BE SEEN AS A SYMBOL OF THE UN’S WORK TO CREATE DIALOGUE, INTERACTION AND POSITIVE ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN PEOPLE IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. IN THE DAILY LIFE, THE SCULPTURAL FORM INSPIRES THE UN EMPLOYEES TO WANT TO USE THE STAIRS, AND THUS THE STAIRCASE ALSO FORMS THE BASIS FOR DIALOGUE, COOPERATION AND INFORMAL MEETINGS BETWEEN THE VARIOUS UN ORGANIZATIONSS.
The sustainable ambitions of this building are clear from its dynamic facade. The 1,400 dual wing folding shutters are in continuous motion as the light moves around the building during the day. On the roof, 1,400 square meters of solar panels generate electricity for the building. Cold seawater runs through the cooling system, regulating the building’s indoor temperature with minimal electricity. Rainwater is captured and reused to flush the toilets in the building.
Completed in 2013, UN City was awarded the European Commission’s Green Building Award for New Buildings and LEED’s Platinum-certificate, the highest LEED certification.
Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used for the UN City waterfront façade and decking?+
FSC-certified Tali (Erythrophleum spp.), an African hardwood known for its durability, was used for both the waterfront façade and the decking surrounding UN City.
What are the typical characteristics and color of Tali wood?+
Tali heartwood typically ranges from yellowish brown to reddish brown, though growing conditions affect its color. It is moderately lustrous, has a coarse texture, highly interlocked grain, and a slightly waxy feel. The wood is photosensitive and darkens with continued light exposure.
Why is Tali wood commonly used in marine and outdoor construction?+
Tali is stable, durable, and resistant to fungi and termites. It is popular in Europe for marine and bridge construction, boat building, heavy duty hydraulic applications, decking, flooring, and sound barriers.
How energy efficient is UN City Copenhagen?+
UN City uses 55 percent less energy than comparable office buildings of similar size, with an annual energy consumption of less than 50 KwH per square meter, making it one of Denmark's most energy efficient buildings.
What sustainable features are built into UN City Copenhagen?+
The building has 1,400 square meters of rooftop solar panels, a cooling system that uses cold seawater to regulate indoor temperature with minimal electricity, and a rainwater capture system that reuses water to flush toilets. It also features 1,400 dual wing folding shutters that move with the light throughout the day.
Who designed UN City Copenhagen and what does its shape represent?+
UN City was designed by human-centric architects 3XN. Its eight-winged star design is a reference to the UN's operations in every corner of the world.
What certifications and awards has UN City received?+
Completed in 2013, UN City was awarded the European Commission's Green Building Award for New Buildings and LEED's Platinum certificate, the highest LEED certification available.