A striking 60-meter-tall cylindrical office building called Tip of Nordø has been completed in Copenhagen, designed as a contemporary tribute to the city's historic waterfront silos. The innovative structure, created by Danish architectural studios Cobe, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, and Third Nature, serves as an "anchor point" for Nordhavn, a former industrial port area that has been transformed into a modern mixed-use neighborhood. The building has been shortlisted in the large workplace category of the Dezeen Awards 2025.
The distinctive design draws inspiration from Copenhagen's historic grain silos while functioning as what architects describe as a "modern lighthouse" for the local community. Unlike traditional silos with their solid walls, Tip of Nordø features extensive glazing that wraps around the entire exterior, flooding the interior spaces with natural light. The facade consists of six uniquely angled elements that, combined with the building's cylindrical form, provide occupants with panoramic 360-degree views of both the city and surrounding waters.
According to Cobe founder Dan Stubbergaard, the building's strategic placement reflects careful urban planning principles. "In the Nordhavn plan, buildings taller than seven floors are either an existing, repurposed building or a new one strategically placed as an anchor point within the district," he explained. "Our site called for something special, a building that would stand out while still fitting naturally into the harbor. The Tip of Nordø does just that."
The architectural concept emphasizes democratic workspace design, challenging traditional office hierarchies. "We saw The Tip of Nordø as a kind of modern lighthouse – an open, welcoming place for the local community that also connects with the wider city," Stubbergaard noted. "The round shape also supports the idea of a democratic workspace. Traditionally, corner offices are seen as the best spots, but in a circular building, everyone gets equal access to light, views, and the horizon. It's about inclusion, transparency, and openness – architecture that brings people together while blending naturally into its context."
The interior houses 1,500 adaptable workspaces across multiple floors, currently serving as headquarters for law firm Bech-Bruun and energy investment company Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). Each organization occupies dedicated areas within the multi-tenant structure. At the building's heart lies a central atrium featuring a ground-floor winter garden and café, which opens onto an outdoor terrace. These public spaces remain accessible to the community year-round, reinforcing the building's role as a community anchor.
Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects partner Malte Rosenquist emphasized the building's public responsibility. "Occupying such a prominent position in Nordhavn, the building carries a responsibility to contribute to its surroundings," he said. "From the outset, the ambition was for the building to feel transparent, friendly, and approachable. The best way to achieve that was not just visually but by literally inviting the public inside."
The landscape design, overseen by Third Nature, plays a crucial role in integrating the industrial structure with its urban context. The outdoor terrace incorporates amphitheater-style seating and forms part of a comprehensive landscape strategy designed to soften the building's industrial character. Third Nature co-founder Ole Schrøder explained their approach: "The landscape design creates a terraced public space where soft level changes, broad steps, and green pockets form a welcoming transition between city and harbor. The raw industrial character is softened with coastal planting and intimate seating zones, supporting activity throughout the year."
Tip of Nordø represents part of Cobe's broader masterplan for the Nordhavn district, which includes the transformation of other historic structures. Previously, Cobe converted an actual grain silo into residential apartments as part of the same urban development project. The new office building extends this theme of honoring industrial heritage while meeting contemporary needs for flexible, sustainable workspace.
The project involved collaboration between multiple firms, with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects and Cobe serving as lead architects, Third Nature handling landscape architecture, and PFA Ejendomme as the client. Engineering was provided by Rambøll, while construction was carried out by contractors Pihl, LM Byg, and M J Eriksson. The building now stands as both a functional workspace and a landmark that bridges Copenhagen's industrial past with its sustainable urban future.
