What happens when a competition is made global? Many apply with their best work leaving the judges to pick the best results; a sure win. In Copenhagen, Denmark, an international competition to design a new Waste-to Energy plant was opened up to competitors. A company called BIG sent in drafts featuring a plant that blows smoke-rings and serves as a ski slope on the outside. The smoke-rings serve as a gentle reminder about the impact of consumption and a measuring stick of CO2 emissions. One architect on the team for the winning Waste-to-Energy blue print expressed meaning to why the plant was planned for a certain site in Copenhagen: “It is a place in the outskirts of Copenhagen, but also the centre for new recreational activities. It divides the local area in two, with factories on one side and housing on the other.” “The aim of the project is to tie all these opposing forces together, forming an identity for a new place in Copenhagen, “ added another member on the winning team. The architects at BIG stressed they not only wanted to build something functional, but something beautiful. “The ambition of creating added value in terms of added functionality does not stand in contrast to the ambition to create beauty. It does not have to be either/or – it can be both! We propose a new breed of waste-to-energy plant, one that is economically, environmentally, and socially profitable.” The plant is set to have a budget of $650 million. The architectural team, BIG, will also be joined with landscape artists, a structural engineering team, and an interactive team to see the plant is built properly and can function as designed. There are approximately 12 architects and one project leader. BM
