JULEMÆRKEFONDENS HUS

The newly built Julemærkefondens Hus in Roskilde serves as the organization’s new headquarters, hosting its growing national activities to support children in vulnerable positions. To ensure optimal conditions for the organization, both now and in the long term, Cornelius Vöge, as architect and lead consultant, has emphasized flexibility and durability in all solutions.

CLEAR REFERENCES TO HISTORIC CONTEXT

The project brings back the historic connection between Roskilde Fjord and the iconic Haraldsborg building, originally constructed in 1910 as a school. Today, it houses Julemærkehjemmet Liljeborg, a children’s retreat. The design of the new building is carefully planned to complement this historical context.

The design language of the new office building shows clear references to the area’s villas, many of which are deemed worthy of preservation.

As a re-visit to the renowned `Bedre Byggeskik´ movement from the early 20^th century, the project celebrates building traditions by emphasizing details, materials, simplicity, proportions, and good craftsmanship.

The new building reinterprets the classic villa style with consistent design elements, such as large unbroken roof surfaces, facade projections, gable and entrance areas, and chimneys for ventilation. These elements not only scale down the volume of the building but also maintain the villa’s typology throughout the exterior. Inside, the design fosters an atmosphere of homeliness and well-being.

THE HALL AS THE CENTER 

A large atrium, featuring visible glulam construction, forms the heart of the building. This central space acts as both a meeting point and a connecting link to all floors and rooms. Each floor is designed with its own spatial character: a lower floor with lush courtyards, a raised ground floor, and a first floor with exposed structures and high ceilings. Flexible office spaces and meeting rooms are located on all three levels, with shared facilities such as a lunchroom and exhibition area on the lower floor.

LONG LASTING QUALITY WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

In selecting materials and building techniques, the focus is on using long lasting, resilient and  natural  mono materials that evoke a sense of homeliness while contributing to a healthy indoor climate. The house is constructed as a hybrid construction in in-situ cast concrete and wood with a brick facade built with lime mortar and applied white lime paint. The wooden structures are visible in the house’s central inner atrium, which is the focal point of the house with connections to all floors and rooms. he house’s four load-bearing cores in cast concrete are made with visible board formwork and contain fixed installations such as stairs, elevator and toilets. The roof is covered with classic red tiles and the exterior wooden parts are painted red. Recycled bricks from former villas have been incorporated into the flooring on the lower floor, further enhancing the building’s connection to its history.

ADAPTING TO UNKNOWN FUTURE NEEDS

Long-lasting buildings are constantly refined and reshaped by their occupants. The long-lasting quality of the building and a flexible interior prepares the building to be adapted to new functions in the future. The buildings interior is flexible and prepared to be adapted to new functions such as a multiuser house or housing appartments in a distant future. The house’s four load-bearing cores contain fixed installations such as stairs, elevator and toilets. Other interior walls are demountable with pine plywood, which can be reused when changing the interior layout to future use.

Literature:
Arkitekten nr. 04, maj 2024, vol. 126.

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