Bystrup Architects is a Danish architecture and design firm at Copenhagen headed by Erik Bystrup. The obligation of this firm towards ecology has provided the creative impetus for their novel creations. Technology has been optimized in their designs to ensure environmental, economical and social sustainability. Moreover, experimental and logical choices of materials have sculpted their minimalistic but iconic structures. Having been established in 1994, Bystrup architects involve a diverse array of projects ranging from architectural to infrastructure and industrial designs. Being the only company in the world to specialize in Power pylon designs, the team has won several prestigious accolades.
Here are 15 iconic projects by Bystrup Architects:
1. Odin’s Bridge Denmark
The largest swing bridge of North Europe, runs across the Odense canal, filling the major void in the ring road system of the city. It is a four-lane double swing steel bridge with a bidirectional bikeway opening a full canal width passage when operated. The simple triangular structure, applied with cool colors and innovative lighting design makes it an iconic element of the city skyline.
2. Nine Elms Pimlico Bridge London
This is the first shared pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Thames River. This sustainable multimodal transport channel causes minimal impact while celebrating the river banks with its swirled landing which avoids a steep ramp for the cyclists and creates a vibrant urban space underneath. The graceful and elegant bridge being elevated facilitates the inland navigation through the river.
3. Fauna Bridge Denmark
Fauna Bridge is an arched structure that spans two natural reserves alongside the highway for wild animals to pass. This in situ concrete bridge is camouflaged as an extension of the surrounding hills by vegetating it. The homogeneous passage has a monotone uninterrupted interior that avoids visual clutter. Due to its harmony with the ecological context this built intervention has created a new landscape.
4. Parking House Norrebro
The parking house is a 6000m.sq garage built with steel pillars, which are planted with green climbers that will wrap the structure entirely. This green facade has been devised as a visual response to the traditional apartment houses in the vicinity. A simple and intelligent design approach has transformed a mere utilitarian structure into an image of lushness.
5. Heggedal Bridge Norway
Connecting two platforms of the historic railway station of Heggedal, this bridge is a promenade that contrasts itself from the underneath bustling dynamism with its lucid form, proportions, and materials. The passage is designed with a slight curvature that avoids the monotony of movement and gives tension to the linear geometry of the tracks.
6. Norwegian Trade Fair
Located between Oslo city and Gardermoen airport, the Trade Fairs is Norway’s largest exhibition center, comprising a public area, exhibition area, and rig area for services. It has a skin and bone architecture with lucid crafting from and spaces out of steel, concrete, and glass. The galvanized steel pergolas over the south wall overlooking the adjacent island reduce heat radiation while imparting character
7. Essex Park Teglholmen
Essex Park comprises three buildings containing 151 apartments, marshaled as a ‘U’ overlooking the harbor quay. The steel channel sections and glass balconies hanging from it add rhyme and rhythm to the facade. The buildings embrace a shared inclusive garden within it, which forms the community space creating dialogue among the inhabitants.
8. Chair Design
The Chair has been designed officially for Denmark, meeting the ergonomic requirements most stylistically. This strong, light, and durable chair weighs 4kg, whose seat and back are shaped according to the anthropometric dimensions in the seating position. For altering the body pressure when seated for a prolonged time, the lamellas are placed at an optimized distance.
9. LP Nest
The light design takes its inspiration from the filigree pattern of tree branches through which soft, indirect light penetrates. The lamp fixture inherently creates symmetrical patterns of the shadow out of the cool log of steel. LP Nest adaptable to different kinds of fixtures is available in textured graphite and aluminum finishes.
10. Odense Harbour House Denmark
The triangular harbor house is located next to the Odin’s Bridge as its administrative unit. The congruent forms and colors of the bridge and harbor house complement each other making a whole. The longer surface of the irregular triangular structure facing south-west direction is fitted with solar panels thereby optimizing heat gain.
11. Pandora Headquarters Copenhagen
Pandora headquarters is a LEED rated project consisting of a plaza with three buildings. The walls are regularly fenestrated and heat-insulated thereby optimizing daylight and reducing power consumption. Lighting is controlled by the PIR system and eliminates glare. Due to the limited use of power-producing products the building demands low maintenance.
12. Mirror Wall Norway
Power pylon structure has been redefined with awe-inspiring design idea which, apart from its functional efficiency, integrates and differentiates itself with the context. The simple steel lattice structure has been covered with panels of reflecting stainless steel with hidden fittings. The mirror wall measuring 34.5 meters in height and 32.5m in width stands as an illustrative reflection of the Heia.
13. Composite Pylon
Replacing the conventional power pylons with scientific innovations in terms of materiality and form, the design of Composite pylon presents a very classy minimal outlook, in contrast to the chaotic appearance of the former one. Glass fiber composite material, adaptable to different geometries, makes it possible to integrate insulation in cross arms of the pylon, thereby reducing its height, weight, and time of erection.
14. Hugo Boss Headquarters Copenhagen
The 10000m.sq office building is a transparent structure enclosing a flexible workspace with ample daylight and a pleasant atmosphere. This glasshouse has a light glass shielding which curtains to prevent overheating and glare, forming its identity.
15. Summerhouse Loderup Sweden
This private summer house sits at a serene location with its glass and steel envelope offering picturesque sea views. The house has an open plan in which only the bedrooms are segregated.
