DYMAK HQ
The Dymak headquarter is located at one of the main entrances to Odense, Denmark’s third-largest city.
Conceived as both a workplace and material showcase, the building acts as a living catalogue for Dymak’s portfolio of tactile and natural materials, while also supporting a more social and flexible everyday use through shared spaces, a green courtyard, and a gym.
Defined by an undulating roofscape and a gridded timber-and-glass façade, the Dymak HQ has received DGNB Danmark Gold, Heart, and Diamond certification, recognizing its overall energy performance, focus on staff well-being, and architectural quality – with the Diamond distinction awarded separately by an independent jury for exceptional design excellence.
The roof is raised towards the north with panoramic views of the nearby forest, and cascaded towards the south to provide shade from the sun, optimize the indoor climate, and reduce noise pollution. This shape also provides an optimal surface for the roof’s approx. 880 custom-shaped photovoltaic panels, contributing to the building’s on-site energy production.
Entering the building, visitors are welcomed into a double-height space. The ground floor houses a showroom, a photo studio, and fitness facilities, while the upper floors contain open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and lounge areas.
Inspired by Dymak’s material portfolio, the building is wrapped in a palette of raw and tactile materials, such as wood, clay, cork, and eelgrass, while ceilings in recycled paper fibers add a softer layer overhead.
The grid-like façade creates an interplay of timber and glass that allows daylight to enter the space, while a rhythmic system of vertical fins and shading elements becomes denser toward the south and more open toward the north, regulating light and temperature throughout the day to ensure a comfortable working environment.
“The Dymak headquarters is conceived as a tour de force in low-carbon materiality: mass timber construction, clay tiles, clay mortar, and eelgrass lower the embodied carbon of the building while providing a warm and organic atmosphere. The circular building provides a well-lit work environment arranged around the central courtyard, secluded and sheltered from the noise of the nearby highway.
The solar roof is angled to optimize power production, minimize solar heat gain, and maximize views of the neighboring wetlands. The resultant sculptural form is reminiscent of a Möbius strip in geometry as well as a tribute: not only does it look unique, it also performs uniquely.”
– Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIG
Text by BIG. Photos by Rasmus Hjortshøj
