Bikuben Kollegiet is a lovely place to live. Both the physical framework of life here as well as the technical aspects of the building are worth writing a few words about. Because the kollegie is new and experimental is has already generated great
attention and publicity. On this page we will outline the main characteristics of the structure we daily refer to as "home".

Bikuben is located in the intersection between Njalsgade and Amagerfælledvej (click here for map). Officially it is a part of Ørestad North, which is the part of the Ørestad closest to the center of Copenhagen. Ørestad North is at the same time the most developed part and thus the most lively.

We are situated right next to University of Copenhagen (Amager Department aka KUA), which is the campus area where most University students are registered. On the other side of Amagerfælledvej are the old blocks, built back when the Amagerbro district emerged towards the end of the 19th century. Our neighbour to the North is the partially abandoned Artillerigrunden (Artillery grounds), which is partly wilderness and partly abandoned industrial facilities from last century.

In an urban developmental context, the area is very interesting, and the composite character yields a terrific city life with great diversity.
Bikuben is only seven minutes bicycle ride from Christianshavn and ten minutes from Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square). The Metro stations on Amagerbro and Islands Brygge are five minutes away on foot.

Bikuben is designed by AART, an architecture firm located in Århus. Construction was completed in 2006 and was from the very beginning a very noticable building due to the patterned facade and orange signature colour. But the kollegie is not just a boastful monument. Both the outer as well as the inner shape adhere to a clever principle which results in great spatial variation and potential.

The main shape of Bikuben is designed based on an overall concept, worked down in scale to the functional plane. This method is heavily inspired by tendencies found in the Dutch architectural scene of the 90s, which was introduced into Denmark by the firm Plot in the beginning of the new millenium.

The interesting main feature is the spiral-like movement around an inner courtyard. Two rows of rooms form a large L, which is rotated 90 degrees for every floor. This way each new floor creates new potential which the architects seized and used to create various facilities included in the Bikuben agenda.

In addition AART disposed of the conventional corridor normally used in such buildings, and created a space where access to the rooms is combined with kitchen and common areas. In other words: When you step out your door, you are standing in the middle of a social gathering point. At the same time these common areas are visually connected to each other via the courtyard, serving to bond the social life together across different floors.

“The main shape is settled and has within itself the supporting thought of a Kollegie, concerning community and equality.”
- aart

The kollegie has a range of facilities which all residents can use. (see pictures here).
Of these the following should be mentioned:

The lounge on the 5th floor is the primary party room which houses the Blue Bar. The lounge also has its own terrace, turning its gaze to the towers of the medieval city and on a clear day you can see even further. This is the place where residents can meet over coffee, play foosball or simply dance for 13 hours straight to the tune of thundering gabber.

The gym is probably the most used facility. Student incomes are low and membership of a fitness club is expensive. This is no problem because we have our own: A large, bright room with terrace and view of Amager. In addition to a good selection of exercise equipment there is also table tennis where it is once and for all settled who is the alpha male or female.

The study room at Bikuben is an alternative to the study hall for those who need to meet and work in a group context. It sports a blackboard and internet access, ideal for vigorous joint study sessions

The party room/study hall is the largest room. From day one it has been referred to as the party hall, but the residents were quick to discover additional uses for it other than parties. It is also used for meetings, large dinners and concerts, but has its daily use as study hall.

The roof terrace has one of the best views in all of Copenhagen. During the summer time it is frequently used for reading and procrastinating in the sun. However it looks its best during hot summer evenings where barbecues are more the rule then the exception, often followed by socializing and parties, overlooking the city towers.

Apart from the above mentioned, there are of course facilities such as laundry/drying room, and basement storage room.