Peeking out from the northern edge of Amerika Plads stands Kobbertårnet. This 16-story building houses the law firm Plesner. It also marks a striking presence on Copenhagen’s skyline.
Kobbertårnet means copper tower in Danish. Over time, the tower’s appearance changes. The salty wind from the Øresund affects the copper facade. Its color gradually transforms. Initially, the copper was a fiery red. By the late summer of 2005, it had become a muted dark brown. Over the next 25 years, much of the facade will turn the characteristic verdigris green. We know this from other towers and roofs in the city.
The idea for Kobbertårnet came from Dutch architect Adriaan Geuze. He developed the overall plan for Nordhavnen. Geuze envisioned a tower of towers. He playfully called it “Don Kobber” in a mafioso style. It was to stand at the edge of the harbor. It would expand Copenhagen’s copper-clad skyline.
The choice of copper presented challenges for the architects at Arkitema. Rainwater running down the copper facade becomes aggressive copper water. This can corrode other metallic parts of the structure in just a few years. H. S. Hansen, the facade contractor, helped to develop a new window system. A dense membrane protects the load-bearing aluminum structure. It shields it from the corrosive copper water.
Kobbertårnet is more than just an office building. Its copper facade connects it to Copenhagen’s older towers. As it turns green, it will blend even more into the cityscape. Kobbertårnet marks the entrance to Copenhagen.