Danish prefabricated affordable housing Dortheavej

This five-story building is located in northern Copenhagen and takes its name from the street Dortheavej, which from the 1930s to the 1950s was characterized by auto repair shops, warehouses, and industrial buildings. In 2013, the Danish non-profit affordable housing association Lejerbo commissioned BIG to design the Dortheavej redevelopment, based on a framework drafted by Danish urban space designer Jan Gehl. The client asked BIG to create affordable housing and public space in the area while maintaining pedestrian access and preserving the adjacent green courtyard as it was. Earlier this year, BIG and Lejerbo received the Lille Arne Award from the Association of Danish Architects in recognition of their ability to prioritize spatial quality and design strategy within a strict affordable housing budget. Our goal was to have world-class architects design reasonably priced apartments, says Jan Hyttel, Chairman of Lejerbo Copenhagen. Working with BIG, we successfully created sustainable, safe, fully functional residences that align with residents' wishes. Affordable housing is an architectural challenge due to necessary budget constraints. The project uses prefabricated cross-laminated timber panels, reducing construction time and environmental impact while creating warm, natural interiors. The building's curved form and wood facade create a distinctive presence along the street, proving that affordable housing can be both cost-effective and architecturally ambitious.