DTU Compute B324

campus in a box

"DTU has, with this building, shown great commitment in their wish to condense the area and build new research buildings in a successful and respectful way to the existing DTU buildings and masterplan."
Says the judges about the winning project.

DTU Compute is an innovative, immersive learning environment for the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Here, the university’s high ambitions merge with innovative architectural solutions to create an active learning environment with a strong focus on community. The interior of the building is partially visible behind sandblasted, white, and transparent glass. The ground floor houses advanced classrooms, while offices and meeting rooms are located on the upper levels. The building is organized around eight towers, surrounded by a large open environment with islands of specially designed study spaces. Flooded with daylight, all rooms have soft acoustics. Under the sloping skylights, lightweight walkways pass between the crowns of 22 evergreen trees, contributing to a healthy indoor climate in this complex building. All elements in this open facility are organized to stimulate scientific immersion and learning. The building’s interior is closely connected with the surrounding landscape, where oak trees grow around the campus. The trees also support the building’s green profile, as they produce oxygen for the environment and help ensure optimal indoor air quality.

Study Zones Beneath the Tree Canopies

In the open environment, we have created a diverse setting for both students and researchers. The crowns of the trees form a natural ceiling over a landscape of specially designed interiors, strategically placed to support both social interactions and individual academic immersion.

The furniture is designed as building blocks that can be reconfigured to adapt to changing user needs. It features a robust and simple expression with ash wood surfaces. With this interior, the building becomes a meeting place where researchers and students can engage in dialogue and think innovatively.

After classes, students can gather in breakout zones near the teaching areas under the atrium’s tall trees—ideal for group work and problem-solving, with study spaces for six people. Touch-down zones at the main entrances provide space for preparation and collaboration with bar-height benches. At the center of the building, lounge areas offer flexible settings for breaks and discussions. Quiet zones with sound-absorbing box seats create cozy areas for focused study for one or two people. Office zones are designed for teamwork, with flexible clusters and modular furniture—all featuring a cohesive square design in line with the building’s aesthetic.

Sustainability and Energy Concept

DTU Compute follows a sustainability concept based on passive and natural solutions, including the trees’ contribution to oxygen levels inside the building. The roof features solar panels that capture solar energy, supporting the building’s heating and electricity needs. The building is designed to be a zero-energy structure. When solar energy is insufficient, supplementary energy from the main supply is used, and when there is excess energy, it is returned to the grid. The roof also contains rainwater storage tanks that collect water for irrigating the trees and flushing the toilets.

Dynamic and Flexible Learning Environment

After classes, students can gather in breakout zones near the teaching areas under the atrium’s tall trees. These areas are ideal for group work and problem-solving, featuring units for six people. Touch-down zones at the main entrances provide space for preparation and collaboration at bar-height tables. In the central part of the building, lounge areas offer flexible spaces for breaks, discussions, and guest stays. Quiet zones with sound-dampening box seats create intimate spaces for concentrated work for one or two people. Office areas are designed for teamwork, featuring flexible clusters for 6-12 researchers and modular furniture for storage and workstations.

Client

Technical University of Denmark

Area

4 700m2 / 50 590ft2

Year

2013

Location

Lyngby, Denmark

Collaborators

Kragh & Berglund / Anders Christensen / Henrik Larsen Engineers

Images

Adam Mørk