In part inspired by the Sydney Opera House, The Wave is a similarly spectacular waterside structure that sports imposing undulations. Representing an ‘architectural embodiment of the surrounding landscape’, it commands attention on the banks of Denmark’s sprawling Vejle Fjord, its five crests and four troughs honouring the local rolling landscape and ocean faring heritage, all visible on the way in and out via road, rail, and sea.
“We designed the wave as a striking new presence on the Vejle skyline,” says Søren Øllgaard, partner and design director at Henning Larsen—whose namesake architect was responsible for the design, “one that reflects and embodies the surrounding area.”
Rather ironic, considering the building’s shape, that there were ups and downs to its construction with completion taking a mammoth 11 years having been interrupted by the global financial crash of 2008. Unlike the finalisation date, what was never in doubt was the quality and ambition of the build. An internationally-acclaimed icon in the making, The Wave bagged its first of many awards when only two of its arching towers had been completed, named the ‘Residential Building of the Year’ by the Danish trade magazine Byggeri in 2009, and later an ABB LEAF Award for innovative architecture in 2012. The bestowing of the prestigious Civic Trust Award in 2013 was the first time a Danish architect had won the prize in more than half-a-century.
The 14,000-square-metre complex cradles 100 apartments, with each of the five main bodies holding nine storeys topped by double-height penthouse apartments. In true Scandinavian style, minimal interiors incorporate plush wooden flooring that unfurls onto the balcony areas, separated by privacy screens, while at the base of each tower, sizeable steps sweep down to a public walkway that links to wooden decking that reaches the water’s edge, replete with a landing area for access.
As for the mesmeric wave shape, it was created using panels of terracotta rainscreen cladding that shelters each tower while giving the impression of being one continuous, vibrant white sheet. The wave’s lip forms an eave above the building’s shimmering facade, and skylights allow natural light to flood in from the top and sides. An open-air public pier serves as a social hub, further enhancing—and revitalising—the development of the waterfront of the fjord.
Larsen’s vision was finally fully realised in 2019, by which time the legendary architect had sadly passed.
