Text description provided by the architects
The Ferring Pharmaceuticals headquarters is located on a key waterfront site by the Oresund, north of Copenhagen Airport. The building is surrounded by lower-rise developments and enjoys magnificent views toward Malmo and the Swedish coast where Ferring was founded. The Ferring headquarters sits on a plinth that also serves as the first line of defense against potential flooding. The plinth design balances solidity and flexibility, featuring both robust street-level elements and soft landscape that respond to the harsh marine environment. The light, glass building appears to float above the water, contrasting sharply with the heavy plinth below. The six stacked floor plates with extending cantilevered roofs capture surrounding views, create shaded spaces for each floor, and produce a dynamic atrium within the building. Driven by the site, the final building form is triangular and surrounded by water on all sides. At the building's core, a spacious internal atrium features a full-height wall with views toward the Swedish shoreline, and contains the entrance hall, restaurant, lounge spaces, meeting and dining facilities, and other shared amenities. The design by Foster + Partners creates a headquarters that reflects Ferring's identity as a global biopharmaceutical company while responding sensitively to its waterfront location. The building balances transparency and privacy, sustainability and comfort, creating a workplace that supports scientific collaboration and employee wellbeing.