COPENHAGEN GATE, GATE L & GATE M

The design for the dramatic new harbor entrance to the great city of Copenhagen is based on a concept of two towers carrying two bridges at two orientations all connecting back to the unique aspects of the site’s history. The Langelinie site, a berth for ocean ships for decades, is expressed in the Langelinie tower, Gate L, with geometry taken from the site’s shape. A prow-like deck thrusts out to the sea horizon. Gate L is expected to be furnished with cafes and restaurants. The Marmormolen tower, Gate M, connects back to the City.

Each tower carries its own cable-stay bridge between the two piers. Due to the site geometry, these bridges meet at an angle, joining like a handshake over the harbor. The soffits below the bridges and under the cantilevers pick up the bright colors of the harbor; container orange on the undersides of the Langelinie, bright yellow on the undersides of the Marmormolen. At night the uplights washing the colored aluminum reflect like paintings in the water.