A home for Danish sailing
The new clubhouse for KDY is designed as a central hub for Danish sailing – a place where heritage and future ambitions meet. With more than 150 years of history, the vision has been to create an open and functional environment that supports both elite and recreational sailing.
The building is defined by bright, open interiors and a consistent use of natural materials, with timber as the primary element. This reinforces the maritime identity while ensuring a robust and low-maintenance building.
A structure that brings functions and people together
The project consists of a multifunctional hall divided into two main sections, unified within a single glulam frame structure. One part houses a boat hall for storage and repair, while the other accommodates changing facilities, sauna, lounge areas, teaching spaces, and offices.
As main structural engineer, KI has been responsible for the load-bearing structures. The structural system is designed with strategically placed bracing, ensuring stability while preserving architectural openness and flexibility.
The site conditions have required careful consideration. An existing quay running across the site called for precise coordination and a well-planned steel pile foundation to ensure a safe and durable solution.
Durability in a maritime environment
A key element of the project is the heavy concrete slab, designed to support boat storage while resisting exposure to saltwater. The solution balances durability and functionality in an environment with high demands on material performance.
Precision and collaboration at the core
The project has been developed in close collaboration between consultants and contractors, where coordination and detailing have been essential to achieving the architectural vision.
Mikki Goltermann Graffmann, Project Director at KI, explains:
"The structure is simple on paper – but requires precision and coordination to make everything work together, both aesthetically and structurally. That is exactly where we, as engineers, create value."
Sustainable material choices
The primary load-bearing structures are executed in timber, contributing to a reduced CO2 footprint and a healthy indoor climate. The project is designed in accordance with BR18 and reflects a conscious approach to resource use and material efficiency – a mindset that is integral to KI’s way of working.
