PARKVEJ

Renovation with respect for existing architecture and construction

Build Year

2023-2026

Architect

Nordic Office of Architecture

Entrepreneur

Einar Kornerup A/S

Engineer

Norconsult

Builder

Lejerbo Høje Taastrup

A RENOVATION WITH RESPECT FOR HISTORY

Between green courtyards and low post-war housing blocks lies Parkvej – a classic residential area in Denmark with 286 apartments that, since 1948, have formed the setting for generations of residents.

The characteristic façades and balconies had clearly aged and no longer met today’s standards for safety, durability, and comfort. The buildings have therefore undergone a comprehensive renovation focusing on preserving the area’s original architectural expression while enhancing quality, functionality, and lifespan to meet modern standards.

This placed high demands on material choice, aesthetics, and constructability - and Hi-Con was brought into the process early to help develop the new balcony solution for the housing area.

THE NEED FOR A NEW AND MODERN BALCONY SOLUTION

The project was originally designed with balconies where the parapet and slab were cast as one single element supported by steel beams. However, the solution proved practically challenging. The construction workers needed to use the balconies as working platforms during the façade and window renovation, which would not be possible if the parapets were already installed.

At the same time, the developer and architect wanted a solution that:
• respected the building’s architectural expression
• was lighter than normal-strength concrete to reduce the load on the existing structure
• required minimal maintenance and had a documented long lifespan
• could be produced and installed efficiently, without the need for visible steel beams

To meet all these requirements, Hi-Con, in close collaboration with Einar Kornerup A/S and Nordic Office of Architecture, developed a customized balcony solution in Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC).

What is UHPC?

“The project at Parkvej is a great example of how UHPC can be used to renew existing buildings without changing their identity. We created a solution that combines lightness, aesthetics, and durability - to the benefit of residents, the client, and the building’s operation.”

Morten Møller Madsen,

Key Account Manager, Hi-Con

A BALCONY SOLUTION IN ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

Hi-Con delivered 255 balcony slabs and 255 separate parapets in UHPC CRC i2, as well as two canopies for the stairwells.

The new balcony slabs are designed to be slid into slots in the existing brickwork, eliminating the need for supporting steel beams and giving the façade a clean and lightweight appearance.

The parapets are produced as separate elements that can be installed later – a solution that allowed the contractor to use the balconies as working platforms during the renovation. This provided a more flexible and safe construction process while keeping the schedule on track.

The parapets are cast with the same profiling as the original balconies, approx. 15 x 15 mm grooves on the front and a smooth backside, preserving the visual expression of the original architecture.
The balcony slabs are made with a one-way slope towards an integrated gutter and spout for controlled drainage.

HOW UHPC MET THE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

UHPC’s formability made it possible to recreate the characteristic parapet profiles from 1948 precisely, but in a modern and more robust version.
The material’s exceptional strength made it possible to reduce the element thickness, minimizing both weight and load on the existing structure.
The two-part solution with separate slabs and parapets allowed the contractor to work directly from the balconies during the renovation, without delays in the construction process.
UHPC has an expected lifespan of over 100 years and requires no structural maintenance.
The absence of steel beams beneath the balconies gives the buildings a light, uniform, and calm appearance, allowing the new balconies to blend naturally with the existing architecture.