A mesmerizing site-specific ballet performance by KOMA Dance Company recently offered the first public glimpse inside Dymak's innovative new headquarters in Odense, Denmark, revealing Bjarke Ingels Group's ambitious circular timber design. The 30,000-square-foot building, created by BIG's in-house studio BIG LEAP, represents a radical rethinking of workplace architecture through its continuous loop configuration that connects departments across multiple floors. The performance transformed the structure into a dynamic stage, emphasizing how the building's flexible design accommodates both human activity and environmental responsiveness. This unveiling marks a significant milestone for sustainable architecture in Scandinavia, showcasing how commercial spaces can prioritize ecological performance without sacrificing aesthetic beauty.
The building's circular organization creates an adaptable ecosystem where employees can establish workstations based on evolving project needs rather than fixed desk assignments. Radial cross-laminated timber frames form a grid-like envelope that references Denmark's historic half-timbered architectural tradition while employing cutting-edge construction technology. The undulating roof, equipped with 880 strategically angled photovoltaic panels, generates renewable energy while acoustically buffering the central courtyard from urban noise. This inner courtyard functions as an open-air amphitheater, pulling the surrounding landscape into the building's heart and providing space for informal gatherings, social events, and moments of reflection throughout the workday.
Material selection reflects Dymak's commitment to tactile authenticity and environmental responsibility, with wood, clay, and cork lining the interior spaces. These choices resonate with the company's product portfolio while creating warm, inviting atmospheres that contrast sharply with sterile corporate environments. Recycled bricks extend from the ground floor through surrounding pathways and courtyard areas, establishing material continuity between building and site. The northern facade opens dramatically to frame views of Funen's manorial landscape, while the southern elevation features external lamellas and vertical stretched-metal panels that provide passive solar shading and prevent overheating during summer months.
The integration of performance space into a corporate headquarters represents a groundbreaking approach to workplace culture, positioning the building as a cultural venue for the broader Odense community. KOMA Ballet's site-specific choreography highlighted the structure's spatial versatility, with dancers utilizing staircases, balconies, and the central courtyard as performance areas. This programmatic flexibility demonstrates how architecture can blur boundaries between work and creative expression, potentially attracting talent who seek dynamic, inspiration-rich environments. The design anticipates future workplace evolution, where collaboration and innovation require spaces that can transform from focused work zones to presentation venues within hours.
Technical achievements position the project to achieve both DGNB Gold and Heart certifications, reflecting BIG LEAP's holistic approach to sustainability. Advanced building information modeling and virtual reality tools ensured precision across the design team, contractor, and supply chain, embedding critical safety and performance requirements from conception through construction. The 44 radial timber frames were prefabricated off-site to minimize waste and construction time while maximizing quality control. This modern method of construction demonstrates how large-scale timber architecture can meet stringent performance standards while creating visually striking, biophilic work environments that enhance employee wellbeing.
The Dymak headquarters establishes a new benchmark for climate-responsive workplace design, where environmental performance and social sustainability align seamlessly. By creating a building that functions as both efficient office space and community cultural center, BIG challenges conventional developer priorities and demonstrates architecture's capacity to serve multiple constituencies simultaneously. The project's success will likely influence corporate campus design across Europe and North America, particularly as companies seek to reduce carbon footprints while enhancing employee satisfaction. As the building reaches full occupancy, its performance data will provide valuable insights into how circular timber structures function in real-world commercial applications, potentially accelerating adoption of similar sustainable strategies worldwide.
