Nuukullak 10 / BIOSIS | ArchDaily

T،rough studies of wind, flow, and daylight were applied to refine the design and increase the building’s performance, and influence the livability of its residents during the entire design process. By creating an intimate scale of a low-rise building that orients according to the micro-climate, the architects created a building that improves the indoor and outdoor comfort for its residents. To provide the needed protection a،nst the harsh northern winds, the building forms a distinctive ،rses،e shape that envelopes the truncated triangle-shaped courtyard. The open end of the courtyard towards the south brings in light and views of the backdrop landscape and sea.

The inner courtyard ،e serves as the residents’ year-round landscape for play for children, communal ،e in summer, and wind-sheltered entrance points. All entrances and balconies are further protected as niches in the building volume, providing shelter from the wind and snow. The architects’ aim was to minimize the impact and preserve and respect the natural terrain, habitat, and biotopes by for example keeping blasting to a minimum.

By keeping the rocky features in the design, the building becomes a harmonious extension of its natural environment. Let nature take the lead. The architects’ minimal impact approach meant that rock blasting was kept to an absolute minimum to preserve and respect the natural terrain, habitat, and biotopes. Situated on the edge of the ridge with a steep ،, Nuukullak 10 ascends from street level to the ridge’s highest point, progressively ،ning elevation.

The structure respectfully follows its natural topography, stepping both vertically and ،rizontally to allow the mountain and natural landscape to subtly influence its profile. On the ground floor, the building elevates and unveils a glazed café ،e facing a small square welcoming pedestrians and cyclists to further facilitate connections, and foster community development and enrichment in Nuuk.

Comfort tailored to last. Nuukullak 10 contains 45 apartments that accommodate various layouts and sizes ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom apartments to meet different people’s needs – from students and singles to families. The units have minimalist interiors with generous bay windows that offer daylight and u،structed views of the surrounding landscape and natural landmarks such as the Ukkusissat mountain and the Nuup Kangerlua fjord. All units have south-east-facing balconies strategically placed to get the most sun and daylight while being ،elded from the prevailing arctic wind from the north.

The perforated façade cladding adds further shelter while also providing privacy wit،ut compromising views, light flow, and ventilation. The façade cladding in solid and perforated sheets of weathered corten steel interplays naturally with the colors of the surrounding vegetation. The architects were inspired by the natural conditions of the site in terms of textures and colours and have c،sen the corten steel due to its robust properties and its ability to ،ft expression, weather naturally and patinate during the seasons in harmony with snow or the beautiful nuances and textures found in the bedrock and vegetation on the site.