The Danish architecture firm KHR Architecture is strategically targeting Greenland and has just won a competition for a new school in Sisimiut.

"The Government of Greenland has chosen KHR as the general contractor to build a new Iron and Metal School in Sisimiut, West Greenland, and it's a project we're really looking forward to getting started on," says technical director and partner at KHR Architecture, Henrik Danielsen.

KHR Architecture has historically been behind several construction projects in Nuuk and has picked up the legacy in recent years by working more intensively with the Greenlandic market.

Creative partner of KHR Architecture, Janina Zerbe, who is herself heavily involved in KHR's projects in Greenland, explains:

"The Greenlandic landscape and climate make special demands on architecture, both aesthetically and technically.  By focusing on the Greenlandic market, we are building specialist knowledge in Arctic architecture, so that we can more quickly and competently sketch and design projects that take into account the particularities of building in Greenland. For example, the extreme wind, the large amounts of snow and the lighting conditions, which are completely different from what we are used to in Denmark. "

"When you move through Nuuk, you see KHR architecture everywhere, like Malik Swimming Pool, Hans Lynge School or University Park. We are currently expanding that footprint through a large school complex of almost 18,000 m2 and a project for a private developer. The new Iron and Metal School, on the other hand, will be our first project outside Nuuk, so it's a bit of a milestone."

The Iron and Metal School will pave the way for Sisimiut as an educational city.

"The new Iron and Metal School is more than just a school. It is the first of a number of educational institutions planned for the area and will help pave the way for Sisimiut's future as an educational city. That is why it's so important that the school manages to create the best start for that development by linking the existing schools and the city through its architecture," says Janina Zerbe.

The new school spans a green corridor that serves as a central thoroughfare for pedestrians, cyclists, snowmobiles, and dog sleds in Sisimiut.

"In order to maintain the green corridor, the new school will span a building bridge between the two ridges, providing a link between all existing and future buildings. We call it the knowledge bridge, because through shared functions such as a café and conference areas for the educational institutions in the area, it figuratively builds a bridge between the schools. At the same time, of course, it connects the two buildings on either side of the green passage that is to be preserved. " explains Janina Zerbe.

The Iron and Metal School will be able to accommodate 100-150 students plus two classes of 12-16 students each on a one-year course of a master engineer. The school will form the basis for developing a merged educational institution with the Construction School, the Raw Materials School and the high school in the area. The Iron and Metal School will also serve as a physical meeting place for the school's students, as well as the city's businesses and citizens via flexible conference and café areas.

KHR Architecture expects to sign a contract with the developer in late April, with engineering firm Verkis as a subcontractor. The Iron and Metal School is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023 with a budget for works costs of DKK 280 million.

About KHR Architecture:
KHR Architecture has just over 100 employees and works specifically on healthcare and education buildings, residential and commercial buildings. KHR turns 75 this year and has led several award-winning and acclaimed projects such as the Copenhagen Metro, the production and administration building for Fiberline, Bang & Olufsen's headquarters and Copenhagen University on Amager. A new group of partners ensures that KHR is growing rapidly these years and entering new markets and business areas.

Picture text 1:
The illustration shows how the Iron and Metal School will blend beautifully into the landscape of Sisimiut. To preserve the passage through the town, a building bridge is spanned over the track where the townspeople move through the town on foot, dog sled, bicycle or snowmobile. Illustration: KHR Architecture

Picture text 2:
The new Iron and Metal School will be located in the middle of a green stretch that serves as the main thoroughfare in Sisimiut. Therefore, the architects from KHR have spanned a building bridge across the corridor so that the passage is preserved. At the same time, the bridge will be used as a café and common areas that can serve as a meeting point across education and be used for events for the city's citizens. Illustration: KHR Architecture