RESSOURCE CENTER

Introduction

Resource Centre is part of Maglemølle Commercial Park (Maglemølle Erhvervspark). The old power station is transformed into an ambitious concept for knowledge sharing in Resource City and Næstved. The building is the driver for the transformation of Resource City from a semi-derelict factory area to a centre for companies and knowledge within resources.

As well as being the offices for the secretariat of Resource Centre that works as the knowledge coordinator for Resource City, the Resource Centre also offers office space to small and medium-sized companies.

The Resource Centre acts as the physical surroundings for players in the future resource community, physical co-location ensuring more areas of contact and interaction. The physical surroundings will consist of rentable spaces of varying shape and size. There will be both single work-spaces that can be used fluidly as well as bigger spaces with low rent that can accommodate growing companies.

TYPE, SIZE, SITE

Cultural building

960 m²

Denmark, Næstved

CUSTOMER

Næstved Kommune – Center for Bæredygtigt Byggeri

PARTNERS

Næstved Kommune – Center for Bæredygtigt Byggeri

STATUS, YEAR

Delivered

2014

TEAM

Partner in charge: Anders Lendager

Employees: Ask Hvas, Morten Bang

Context

The old power station that will be transformed into Resource Centre is centrally placed in Resource City. Presently, the old building stands in the same condition as the others in the area, in dire need of attention, but has great potential. With its tall chimneys, massive red brick façades and vertical glazing elements it can become a landmark representing both the past and future of Resource City.

Inside, the power station has great potential to become high quality office space. By using the existing climate screen and furnishing the huge industrial spaces within the building into offices, it is possible to create an exclusive, but also authentic environment that reflects the industrial surroundings and history.

Previously the central power distribution unit, the old power station will be reborn as a new central element in Resource City due to its knowledge centre that will assist in the transformation from worn industrial area to a flourishing resource economy. In the long term, Resource City will be able to transform Næstved into a powerhouse within Danish industry.

Concept

The old power station that is transformed into Resource Centre is emptied and cleaned to make space for new prefabricated office spaces. The old walls are reused as a climate screen, and the new offices are put in place as hot-boxes within this historical shell. The offices are prefabricated and defined by their function. The offices are insulated, have good light conditions and acoustics. Spaces for fabrication don’t have the same needs for insulation and acoustics and can be furnished differently, according to need.

By defining the different spaces from their function and keeping the existing climate screen, Resource Centre can be built at a significantly lower cost than what it would cost to erect an entirely new building. Apart from this, the main concept provides high degree of flexibility that enables Resource Centre to develop over time. This development is divided into phases which allows for the building to respond to increasing needs when these arise.

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Social

In Resource Centre there will be room for companies of varying sizes that can draw on each other’s resources, inspire each other and enter synergetic working relationships with. The players within Resource City can offer each other and the community important and relevant knowledge about the future resource community based around Resource City. Resource City works as the physical surroundings that supports an innovative society driven by resource oriented development. In both theory and practice, knowledge sharing is crucial for the companies situated in Resource City. Since all work within the same overarching theme of resources, the movement and sharing of knowledge both within and between players should be encouraged and supported. This is facilitated by the secretariat of Resource City that works as a knowledge coordinator for the different stakeholders working here.

To include citizens in the project, a strategy for for dissemination of business models and ressource concepts that are created at Ressource City is developed. The continuous stream of visitors is important to generate interest in the finished products and will also awaken people’s curiosity and widen the guests’ horizons. This knowledge sharing will work as so-called on-site education where visitors can visit the local factories and see how upcyling works in practice. Facilites for visitors will also be built as examples of how upcycling works in practice, the café being an example of how food can be served with a focus on minimizing food waste. Professionals will cook from products that would otherwise have been discarded.

Economy

In Resource Centre companies can share knowledge about business models that can enhance and quicken the transition to greener operations. This could be companies based on the Energy Savings Company (ESCO) model, thereby promoting and supporting a sustainable development in Næstved. This knowledge sharing will be important for both Resource City and Næstved, and in time will become a centre for knowledge on sustainable resource use in Denmark.

Part of the financing will come from grants and public funds, but also private companies and sponsorships could offer opportunities. Regarding the establishing of the physical surroundings of the Resource Centre, sponsored meeting rooms could be a solution, something that has been seen at Innovatorium in Herning, Denmark. This model would work regarding accounting and legal advice. The incentive to contribute to the environment around Resource City will be a wish to be close to relevant knowledge and start-ups that later could be incorporated into the company.