Scenic surroundings and student life go hand in hand in Lyngby (Denmark), where the first residents have moved into BaseCamp. This student accommodation complex is designed to create a community and to make the building fit perfectly into its green surroundings. Therefore, the building is clad with timber effect facade panels, which combine an authentic look with low maintenance.
Used products:
Rockpanel Woods
A building inspired by nature
Nature was the main source of inspiration for BaseCamp. With its organic shapes and wood lookfacades, it blends in perfectly into the surrounding nature.BaseCamp consists of 639 studios for students, 48 studios for seniors, 99 company apartments and a round communal building in the centre. The project, which has won several architecture awards, was designed by Lars Gitz Architects.“Based on the vision of creating a building that intertwines with nature, the forms are inspired by nature. The construction is therefore neither straight nor symmetrical, it is organic and twisted in shape - just like nature is,” says Jon Clausen, architect MAA and partner at Lars Gitz Architects.
Shared facilities call for community
When residents need some fresh air as a break while studying, they can go for a walk on the roof of their residence. It is possible to go from park to roof, on which green oases have been created that invite to stay. Jon Clausen: “One of the main characteristics of BaseCamp Lyngby is the connected course, which starts on the ground at one end and moves through a winding course and up to the roof. You walk via a path with living terraces and lookout points, from where you can enjoy the view of Lyngby Lake.
“In addition, the studio apartments are created with the idea of living as a community in mind. With common areas, communal kitchens and living areas, there is room to be with others. Here, students can relax when they are not at school. The construction therefore not only brings the residents closer to nature, but also to each other. And it has just been paramount to create a campus environment, rather than ordinary apartments.”
Sustainable facade panels create an authentic wood look
Nature is also present in the facades of the building, which are clad with Rockpanel Woods. The facade panels consist of stone fibres, but look like wood. For BaseCamp the three different Rockpanel Woods designs Carbon Oak, Ceramic Oak and Rhinestone Oak have been used.
“The facade panels from Rockpanel make it possible to play with different wood designs. Again to reflect nature, we have gone for a random look, for which a combination of different wood colours was chosen. The surface of the boards is reminiscent of wood and as it looks so much like real timber, it really provides it that same warmth and organic touch. At the same time, the Rockpanel boards have been chosen because they deliver the desired expression within an economically realistic framework,” says Jon Clausen.
ProtectPlus coating for low-maintenance facades
The boards are equipped with a surface coating that makes them robust and facilitates maintenance. Allan Lindboe, Business Manager at Rockpanel, explains: “Graffiti can be cleaned off, and algae does not settle on the boards. The boards are treated with ProtectPlus, which makes them effectively self-cleaning and brings the need for maintenance to a minimum.
The boards are also a good choice when looking at sustainability. The basic material, stone wool, is sustainable by nature, because it is considered an inexhaustible resource. In addition, the boards have a long service life of at least 50 years. All of these aspects make Rockpanel facade cladding a material that is completely sustainable and durable.”
