CopenHill, Copenhagen

CopenHill combines a waste-to-energy plant with a public recreation facility, making the building itself part of the attraction. Its roof forms an 85 m slope, used throughout the year for artificial skiing, hiking, and climbing. BIG designed the sports facilities, including an 80 m climbing wall described as the world’s tallest permanent climbing wall.

The plant began operating in 2017, while the recreational features opened in December 2018. CopenHill can also generate electricity and district heating, with output adjusted to local demand and energy prices. The project received the World Building of the Year award in 2021. From the sloping roof, the striking idea is clear: infrastructure for handling municipal waste has been turned into a large, usable landscape above the city.