A concrete dome with a smooth surface rises in the center of a paved square, surrounded by low buildings under a clear sky. Several individuals stand atop the dome, casting shadows onto the curved surface.

Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall (Denmark)

Underground hall uses geothermal heating and cooling

The new multi-use hall at Gammel Hellerup High School in the north of Copenhagen, Denmark, was built 5 metres below the surface of the schoolyard, between existing school buildings.

The 1,460 m² hall is used for sporting events, as well social and cultural celebrations. Only the curved roof is visible from outside, and offering pupils a unique spot to socialize and play.

The subterranean multi-use hall was built with a focus on sustainability. It uses geothermal heat, which in the summer can be “reversed” and used to cool the air in the hall. In addition, a solar power plant was built on 125 m², and covers about 80% of the facility's total electricity consumption. Energy consumption was further reduced by a number of skylights installed in the roof to take full advantage of daylight.

Heidelberg Materials Denmark supplied 1,800 m³ of mainly high-strength concrete for the project.

Project Data

  • Frederik Lyng

    Architect

  • 2013

    Completion

A concrete dome with a smooth surface rises in the center of a paved square, surrounded by low buildings under a clear sky. Several individuals stand atop the dome, casting shadows onto the curved surface.

Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark. Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark

Heidelberg Materials

A multi-use hall with a distinctive, wavy wooden ceiling that creates an interesting pattern of light and shadow. The walls are made of concrete, and there are basketball hoops at either end of the court.

Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark. Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark

Heidelberg Materials/Steffen Fuchs

A concrete dome with a smooth surface rises in the center of a paved square, surrounded by low buildings under a clear sky. Several individuals stand atop the dome, casting shadows onto the curved surface.

Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark. Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark

Heidelberg Materials

A multi-use hall with a distinctive, wavy wooden ceiling that creates an interesting pattern of light and shadow. The walls are made of concrete, and there are basketball hoops at either end of the court.

Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark. Gammel Hellerup High School Multi-Use Hall, Denmark

Heidelberg Materials/Steffen Fuchs