Silkeborg power plant, designed by Arkitema following an architecture competition in 1993, is an example of how industrial architecture can accommodate strong aesthetic qualities. The plant, a natural gas-fired combined cycle plant, can supply 104 MW of electricity and 72 MW of district heating.
Architecturally, the building takes the form of a cube in the hilly landscape of Søhøjlandet. Its design with receding sloping sides and lack of traditional divisions such as window bands and storeys, plays down the massive scale of the building. The facade is adorned with large elements, air intakes and turbine vents in stainless steel, accompanied by two distinctive glass prisms.
In terms of materials, the building is a combination of modern and traditional elements. It is clad with aluminium-coloured, horizontally mounted corrugated panels and a base of white concrete elements. Inside, a large stairwell and foyer space ties the service building together, creating a spacious and functional internal structure.
Sustainability is by its nature a key functional element, but it is also essential to the design. The large glass sections and cutouts in the roof provide for optimum use of daylight, while the top of the building with its frameless glass sections is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional as it allows natural daylight to flow into the work areas.
Collaboration and technical expertise were keywords in the realisation of this project, in which Arkitema worked closely with engineers and builders to meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.
In 2015, Arkitema also prepared a design proposal for an extension of the plant.
