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BLOX – Danish Architecture Center

White and green is the externally opaque frosted glass façade that forms the interlocked geometries. A lot of glass – quite different from the surrounding historic old town district of Copenhagen with its typically Danish red brick buildings.

Urban life in glass and geometry

BLOX Copenhagen – Architecture meets modern urban life

OMA, the studio of Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, designed the Blox. 27,000 square meters on five floors above and below ground. The exterior is defined by an opaque white and green frosted glass façade, forming the interlocking geometries. A lot of glass – quite different from the surrounding historic old town district of Copenhagen with its typically Danish red brick buildings. The structure is a mix of architecture and design center, workspaces in a network for urban renewal, rental apartments, children's playground, fitness studio, restaurants, and a fully automated underground car park. "A building intended to represent the complete urban life," according to the DAC press spokesperson. The motivation of the Realdania Foundation, Denmark's largest private investor and sponsor of Blox, transforms the harbor from a once desolate ship docking area into an inner-city experience zone.

High sound insulation was crucial on Copenhagen's busiest arterial road. Gretsch-Unitas developed special parallel opening fittings for windows measuring 2110 × 4280 mm and weighing 750 kg. Six Y-stays enable a 120 mm opening stroke with a 65 mm free cross-section. The connection is made via weight-adapted packers. A special control unit with dead man's switch operates chain drives and locking systems. Simple wiring was facilitated by integrated relays and power supply. Endurance testing was carried out directly at the customer's site.

Quote on the project

Vision and concept from the architect

"We want to create life in a previously empty place"

Realdania Foundation

Everything from a single source

Our products in use

As a specialist for all types of façade openings, Gretsch-Unitas Baubeschläge combines project-specific special components – developed as innovative engineering solutions according to individual customer requirements – with elements from the proven standard range. GU supports customers from technical planning and design through testing to the implementation of projects worldwide.

For an elegant, homogeneous façade appearance – even with open windows. Infinitely adjustable opening width, high air exchange rate, and no space required inside – ideal for natural ventilation concepts.

For sashes up to 750 kg, 250 mm opening width, and 5,000 mm height, Gretsch-Unitas offers suitable stays for all frame materials – ideal for robust parallel opening windows made of wood, PVC, or aluminum.

Gretsch-Unitas chain drives offer elegant design and versatile installation options – visible or concealed. Ideal for smoke and heat extraction (SHE) as well as daily ventilation in all frame materials.