Fælledby: Where all-timber architecture and nature innovate urban living

Designed for the future: where cities and nature coexist

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The Fælledby master plan presents an innovative approach to urban design by placing nature at the centre of modern living. Fælledby is Copenhagen's first all-timber neighbourhood, spanning 181,000 m². The construction uses 80% timber and features low-rise buildings, setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban development. The use of timber minimises the carbon footprint while creating a more vibrant and healthier environment for residents.

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By working with biologists and environmental engineers from MOE, Henning Larsen ensures that the master plan respects and enhances the surrounding ecosystem, creating a city built on nature’s terms, preserving vital elements of the local landscape, such as wetlands and dry scrub that provide habitats for insects, turtles, songbirds, and deer.

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Inspired by rural village models, the design emphasises close community integration with nature. The neighbourhood is divided into three circular subsections, fostering intimacy, while narrowed roads and underground parking reduce traffic and noise. Nests built into external walls provide habitats for songbirds and bats. Wild-planted corridors run between these sections, allowing free movement for local species and integrating nature into the daily lives of its residents.

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Fælledby will house 7,000 residents and include facilities like a school, a daycare centre, an elderly home, and retail spaces. Public spaces, communal dining areas, and urban farming zones encourage social interaction and a direct connection to the land. The project’s architectural blend of traditional rural and modern urban typologies ensures that Fælledby meets the diverse needs of families, students, and senior residents.

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All illustrations credited to Vivid Vision

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