DaimlerChrysler Headquarters, Copenhagen

The new headquarters for Daimler-Chrysler is on one of the last building sites on Frederikskaj, in the southern end of Copenhagen harbour. The four-storey building with penthouse accommodates the administration for DaimlerChrysler Denmark and Sweden.

In order to achieve the serenity and elegance which characterise Daimler-Chrysler, only a few simple architectural elements are used. The 120 meter long building stretches from a main road to the waterfront with a width of 21 meters, containing three spacious glass-covered atriums tied together by horizontal glass bands and granite cladding.
 
The glass atriums and parapets are the key elements of the building. The atriums create transparency signalling openness, and divides the building in a logical manner. The glass parapets serve to tie the building together, in that it is perceived primarily as a glass building with granite sections rather than the opposite.

The first to third floors contain primarily offices and meeting rooms for the various departments, while the ground floor, in addition to reception and exhibition area, rooms the firm’s canteen and kitchen. The staff entrance is placed in the middle of the building with access to all departments via elevator and open stairs to the penthouse level.
The penthouse level contains an auditorium for 200 people, meeting rooms and VIP accommodation for management, as well as a roof terrace.

The office floors are laid out along double corridors with the possibility to utilise the central zone for conference rooms, archives, lavatories etc.
Along the corridors, glass partitions are used in order to draw light into the centre of the building. As a result of the buildings large depth it has been possible to establish open office space in conjunction with cellular offices. To emphasise the Scandinavian atmosphere, the internal walls are painted in light colours and maple is used for all floors.

Lighting
During the building process a light fitting was especially designed for Daimler-Chrysler. The purpose was to create a flexible fitting which allows individual control of the the light levels. The fittings are installed in such a way that partition walls may be relocated without moving the light fixtures.