Multi-purpose hall in the courtyard of the gymnasium in Hellerup by BIG

Gymnasium Gammel Hellerup is located in the northern part of Copenhagen. It consists of a closed set of buildings made of yellowish-brown brick. Originally, the school intended to build a new multipurpose hall off to the side. However, Bjarke Ingels, a local alumnus, came up with a seemingly absurd idea to build the hall in the middle of the school yard. The hall is mostly hidden underground, and its presence can be sensed from the rising wooden surface of the yard adorned with metal tables and benches. The hall, primarily serving sports activities, features a double-arched space with visible ribbing of glued wooden beams. The shape of the ceiling aims to interfere as little as possible with ball games by providing an optimal height. On the opposite side of the flat school yard, an artificial hill rises, which also invites activities and sports performances during breaks.