Transformation of an iconic, 7,500 m² historic building in Carlsberg City into a cultural center in the new district
- Address
- Carlsberg City, Copenhagen
Info
- Client
- Maskincentralen Propco ApS
- Area
- 7,500 m²
- Architect
- Mikkelsen Architects
- Project Period
- 2024–2026
- Contractor
- -
- Total Construction Cost
- Confidential
Nature of the project
Carlsberg City is being transformed into a hub for cultural institutions and business. The Machine Hall is to serve as the new district’s cultural center, where visitors will learn about Carlsberg City’s unique industrial and architectural cultural history, with the large machine hall serving as the primary setting for the exhibition.
The building was designed in 1923 by Carl Harild and constructed between 1923 and 1929; in its day, it served as the power plant that generated electricity and heat for the Carlsberg brewery site. The Machine Hall houses the original B&W diesel engines, which are also listed as historic monuments, as well as a CO2 building and a water tower.
The transformation of the Machine Center is a key part of the development of Carlsberg City from an old industrial site into a mixed-use neighborhood featuring culture, housing, offices, and institutions, where historic buildings are actively repurposed for urban life. The goal is for the Machine Hall to retain its distinctive character while also making room for new functions.
According to the plan, the CO2 Room will be opened up to house a ticket office and a café. The space above the Machine Hall will accommodate a restaurant that can operate both independently and as part of the cultural institution. The building’s east side features the iconic round windows, so the kitchen and logistics areas will be located on the west side, allowing Maskincentralen’s guests to enjoy the view through these distinctive windows. In addition, the plan is to reconstruct the building’s iconic landmark—the 19-meter-high obelisk—above the water tower.
The new top floor above Maskincentralen is planned to be constructed as a reinterpretation of the building’s former capacitor plant. These spaces offer a beautiful view of the iconic Carlsberg City and will house commercial spaces in the future.
The transformation aims to combine the preservation of the building’s original identity—including the original B&W diesel engines, granite columns, marble floors, and industrial details—with new, contemporary functions such as cultural spaces, a café, and a restaurant. The building’s listed status must be respected, while the building is revitalized as a modern cultural center in the area.
Quote
"The Machine Center is a truly interesting building—it’s the last remaining building in Carlsberg City that hasn’t yet undergone renovation or transformation. The building is a historic landmark, so while there have been limitations, there have also been plenty of exciting opportunities to be creative on the project together with our excellent partners."
Sustainability
At ABC, we specialize in renovation and transformation projects to avoid wasting usable building materials and to reduce the need to produce new ones.
By reusing as much of the existing structure as possible, we avoid both the environmentally harmful transport of construction waste away from the project site and the need to produce new, high-carbon structural elements for the building.
Since Maskincentralen is a historic building, the structural framework for the project is predetermined, as demolition is not permitted. In this type of project, reuse takes on a completely different meaning, as it does not involve reusing the building’s structural framework to construct something new. Instead, the focus is on reusing not only the building’s load-bearing elements but also its aesthetic character—an exciting engineering challenge.
