Denmark

K.B. Hallen Riviving - A Cultural Icon with an Arch

In 2011 one of Denmark’s most iconic culture venues burnt to the ground. Since 1938, the K.B. Hall has been a driving force behind some of the most significant concerts and events in Copenhagen. The hall has been revived in a contemporary architectural interpretation. The Arch is the large unifying structure that recreates the K.B. hall’s iconic look. Inside, the balconies, balustrades, bars and fittings all have historical references. In the Disk, on the first floor, bars and lounges are placed around the concert hall under the Arch. This column-free overhang puts huge demands on the strength of the structure. The Gable is made of glass that opens up the hall’s interior to create a connection between the life of the hall and the surrounding area.

Steel Arches

The sound isolation requires a heavy shell with about 375 kg/m². Concrete slab elements achieve this the most cost-effective way. An arch is optimal for carrying such a heavy homogeneous permanent load. A steel arch can carry this heavy load with moderate dimensions. The fixed tribunes are cantilevered from the steel arches that can easily carry their eccentric load, even though the support is far away.

The steel arches are light and compact, and loads can be carried in several directions. Thus, the erection is easier, and the stabilising structures light. The arches take up less space and the building is more economic and elegant.

Cantilevered Disc

The disc is a big cantilevered steel structure forming the upper level along the north gable and the east and west facades. It floats on four façade columns. The walkway hold the cantilevers back with the concrete wall as counter weight. Thus, the upper floor seems to float. Erection required few temporary columns for the cantilever.

Sustainability

K.B. Hallen is a multi-purpose building. When it becomes necessary, it may be changed to serve other purposes. Arches are an optimal shape to carry heavy load over long spans. The aesthetics of the new building will make users be more inclined to take good care of it. The building requires minimum maintenance. The new flexible architecture, the acoustics and technical solutions all fulfil the requirements for a contemporary event venue.

K.B. Hallen has be re-opened 24 January 2019. A number of international artists were soon confirmed to be performing in the new K.B. Hallen. Copenhagen has its arch icon back.