BIG HQ Terraces & Sundkaj Park by Bjarke Ingels Group

At the tip of Sundmolen in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, BIG Landscape has transformed a former parking lot into a 1,500 m² beach park and rooftop terrace for the new BIG HQ, creating a unique synergy between public space and workplace, nature and city, architecture and landscape. Characterized by large warehouses and maritime infrastructure, the area has been reimagined into a biodiverse, inclusive, and sensorially rich environment that celebrates the Danish coastline and the evolving identity of Nordhavn.

Conceived as a local oasis and a shared urban space for residents, employees, and visitors alike, the park invites pause, play, and perspective: relaxation under trees, play among the rocks, fishing at the edge, and conversations along sun-warmed benches. Inspired by Denmark’s distinctive coastal ecologies, the design brings together elements of beach and forest, weaving dunes, sand, shrubs, pines, and grasses into a resilient, low-maintenance urban biotope. The park is divided into two zones, one inspired by forest and the other by beach of the coastal landscape. Towards the north, pine and oak trees break the wind from the harbor, providing a shaded buffer that shelters visitors against the industrial surroundings. Toward the south, the park opens into a sunlit terrain with soft groundcover and open views over the water.

The park is not only a sensory retreat but also a sustainable urban infrastructure. Native, climate-adapted plant species are selected for their ability to withstand wind, salt, and seasonal change, while also supporting the local fauna and flora. The green areas are designed to be functional, with the planting providing shade, shelter, and contributing to the aesthetic and wellbeing of the area. The project’s water management is integrated into the design, as the permeable surfaces and open-joint pavings allow rainwater to infiltrate the ground, relieving the city’s drainage system and supporting the park’s ecological profile. This ecological sensitivity is further emphasized through the careful use of local sand, wood, and stone to ensure durability and low maintenance.

Sculptural and interactive elements add to the park’s immersive quality. Nestled between the trees, the sculpture Stone 40 by artist Benjamin Langholz offers a playful, meditative spiral path made of 40 floating stones, encouraging physical exploration and connection with the landscape. Long benches, inspired by the building’s structural beams, define the urban character of the boardwalk and integrate seating with bicycle parking, creating natural gathering points and supporting the park’s role as a social hub.

Climbing the façade of BIG HQ is a 140-meter-long green stair, planted with wind-tolerant trees, shrubs, herbs, and perennials. The steps lead through a vertical garden that connects the ground-level park with the building’s rooftop terrace, extending the experience of the landscape into the building itself. The herbs planted along the staircase are harvested for use in the HQ’s canteen kitchen, reinforcing the functional dimension of the planting. The rooftop terrace, paved with timber from a local sawmill and surrounded by coastal plantings, becomes both an extension of the public park and a recreational sky garden for visitors. Offering panoramic views of Copenhagen and its surrounding waters, the terrace supports informal meetings, quiet breaks, and a daily reconnection with nature, transforming the workplace into an inhabitable landscape.

The park is the only one in Copenhagen with marram grass and sand, making it a unique destination in the city. By preserving the site’s industrial character and fusing it with natural Danish ecologies, the project forms a new kind of public realm—one that is both wild and cultivated, structured and spontaneous. It reflects the spirit of the place before the harbor was built, while looking ahead to a greener, more integrated urban future. The combination of planting, robust urban furniture, and a focus on social interaction transforms the area into a dynamic place where both nature and people can thrive. By promoting biodiversity and implementing sustainable solutions, the park creates a balance between urban life and nature that will evolve over time, becoming a gathering point for the entire city of Copenhagen.

“At the tip of Sundmolen in Nordhavn, we’ve transformed what was once a parking lot into a 1,500 m² beach park—a hidden gem in the heart of the city. Inspired by Denmark’s beautiful coastal landscapes, we envisioned a place where people can relax, play, fish, and connect with nature… We hope it becomes a lasting part of visitors’ memories and an example of inhabitable nature.”
– Giulia Frittoli, Partner and Head of BIG Landscape

• Other credits:
Photography: Laurian Ghinitoiu, Kirsten Tange, Andreas Konnerup, Benjamin Langholz, Rasmus Hjortshøj

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