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SERIEN LEHRJAHRE BEI ... • WORKING AT ...
Foto: Adam Mørk, DK-Kopenhagen
Hat Kira begeistert: Der Quai Quarter Tower in Sydney (2022) ... • The Quai Quarter Tower in Syndey (2022) is a ... project. The building is designed in the shape of two hands. The patient rooms are located
„Der Quay Quarter Tower ist ein ganz
besonderes Gebäude und hat viele Preise
gewonnen. Der Turm „recycelt“ den
bestehenden Turm des AMP-Centers, das in
den 1970er-Jahren erbaut wurde.”
Kira Ermantraut
... resultiert aus dem Umbau eines Hochhauses aus den 1970er-Jahren • ... transformed Skyscraper from the 1970s. In the second half of my internship, I spent some time in the model workshop, something
Foto: Adam Mørk, DK-Kopenhagen
042 • AIT 10.2024
M s. Ermantraut, you worked as an intern at 3XN in Copenhagen until January this
year. What motivated you to apply to this particular office?
As part of my bachelor’s thesis titled “Ecolodge Vivante”, I participated in an international
competition organised by the magazine The Plan – Architects of Tomorrow 2022 and actually
won in February 2022. The prize included a year’s subscription to The Plan magazine and
journal, and an offer for a three-month internship at the renowned architecture firm 3XN. I
quickly realised I wanted to stay longer, so the internship lasted almost a year.
r What is it like working at 3XN? How large is the office, how is it structured, and how
international is it?
The office is located in a historical, listed former military boathouse from the eighteenth
century, large enough to accommodate 130 employees. With numerous skylights and
floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the canal, the space is filled with natural light. In the
summer, everyone can have lunch on the large terrace by the water. In Copenhagen, there
are seven main teams working closely together, including competition, interior design,
architecture, model workshop, communication, administration, GXN and the render team.
Additionally, 3XN also operates offices in Sydney, New York City, Stockholm and London.
The range of project is broad, and this is reflected in the teams. 3XN is a very international
architecture office, with over 30 different nationalities from various fields. During my time
in Copenhagen, there were 18 interns. English is the office language, but many also speak
Danish, French and German. So I immediately found my way around and felt at home.
r Which buildings by 3XN impress you the most?
The Quay Quarter Tower is a particularly remarkable building and has won many awards.
The tower “recycles” the existing AMP Center from the 1970s. 3XN reused 65 percent of
the original structure and 95 percent of the original core, leading to carbon savings of
7.3 million kilograms. The Children‘s Hospital in Copenhagen is another very impressive
in the “fingers”, while the fingertips are two-storey winter gardens.
r Who or what is behind the office’s innovation department, GXN?
GXN is a research and innovation department where new ideas and technologies can
be explored and tested, which are then incorporated into 3XN projects on a larger scale.
GXN has an advisory role for 3XN, but this department also works on external research
projects with universities, new tech startups and other partners. Key topics include
sustainability, circularity and behaviour-oriented design. Research is being conducted into
how behaviour, materials and future needs are changing.
r What specific projects have you been involved in?
In my first five months, I worked on the detailed planning of SAP Gardens, a collaboration
with the Munich-based planning office CL MAP and Latz + Partner from Kranzberg. For this
multifunctional sports arena in Munich’s Olympic Park, I worked at the interface between
architecture and interior design, helping to create execution plans and working drawings.
I always enjoyed during my studies. After that, I participated in a competition at GXN and
in a project in Zurich, the Dübendorf Innovation Campus. I contributed to designing plans,
diagrams and presentations. Moreover, I learned that practical work is much morediverse
compared to studies, especially regarding execution and construction.
r Have you noticed any differences in the work and internship culture as well as the
work-life balance compared to Germany?
I noticed several differences, despite the similarities between Germany and Denmark. For
example, we worked fewer hours than in Germany: a 37.5-hour workweek, including a
half-hour lunch break, is standard in Denmark. While in Germany, people tend to work
an extra hour after closing time, most Copenhageners stick to their working hours. If
people have to work late, they can take the time off later, and dinner is provided in the
office. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case in most German architecture firms. At 3XN,
we interns were treated as full team members from the start and worked on various
projects. There was a very family-like, positive atmosphere in the office, encouraged
by daily lunch together. In addition, regular activities were organised, such as visits to
exhibitions, completed projects, construction sites or “Friday Bars”. Most Danes place
more importance on family life and leisure. Working from home is common, and it’s no
problem to leave early to pick up the kids.