Green elevator tower at Enhjørning Bastion

SERVICES

Baseline Assessment, Concept Proposal

SPECIES

Common kestrel, solitary bees

SIZE

60 square meters

WHERE

Copenhagen K, Denmark

WHEN

2024 -

CUSTOMER

Akademiker Pension

At Langebrogade 6, the facade of the elevator tower—covering approximately 60 m²—will be transformed into a blooming vertical garden that provides nectar and pollen to pollinators throughout a rich and long flowering season. The tower, visible from both the courtyard and the windows of the buildings, will become a beautiful, colorful sight. Passerines can be seen gathering aromatic herbs for their nests, while a kestrel box at the top may attract dramatic natural scenes as the falcon hunts. Solitary bees and bumblebees find nesting opportunities in specially designed pockets and materials, and the facade also features safe water pockets for pollinators. The tower thus becomes a green “hotel” for the city’s small, flying residents.
The Elevator Tower is part of a unique natural area close to the city, where Christianshavn’s ramparts and the Stadsgraven form a cohesive landscape of green slopes, dense thickets, and bodies of water. This area is home to a diverse array of animal and plant life—from the great spotted woodpecker and the kestrel to solitary bees and butterflies. The green network surrounding the tower serves as both a food source and a habitat for species under pressure in the Danish natural environment. By creating a connection between the building’s green facade and the area’s existing ecosystems, the project strengthens local biodiversity and supports a richer urban environment—to the benefit of plants, animals, insects, and people.

Focus Species

Overview of Selected Focus Species

Common kestrel

The kestrel is a common resident and migratory bird in Denmark and can therefore be seen year-round. The kestrel lives, breeds, and hunts in open country with scattered vegetation, such as fields and meadows, as well as along roads. This bird of prey lays its eggs in cavities such as nest boxes and old crow’s nests, or in buildings and hedgerows.

Red mason bee

The red mason bee is a solitary bee that builds nests in small cavities and seals the cells with mud. It collects pollen and nectar for its larvae and is an effective pollinator. Natural cavities and flowers throughout the season can help this species in urban areas.

Tree bumblebee

The house bumblebee is a compact bumblebee with a brownish thorax and a light-colored abdomen. It often builds its nest above ground in cavities, such as in birdhouses and buildings. It pollinates many different flowers and thrives in green urban environments with varied vegetation.

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