JAJA Architects is one of 15 winners for this year's Danish Design Awards

In collaboration with the Danish Design Center (DDC) and trade organization of Design Denmark, the annual awards aims to provide a look into "the best design solutions" within the country. This year, across 15 categories, winners were selected for their design's impact within "industry, society, and everyday life." 

For the Livable Cities category, the design award went to Copenhagen-based architecture firm JAJA Architects and their project Parking House + Konditaget Lüders.

The practice used their expertise in architecture and urban planning to help transform the roof of a parking structure in the neighborhood of Nordhavn by transforming it into a new sports and play facility. According to a statement from the team, "instead of concealing the parking structure, we proposed a concept that enhances the beauty of the structural grid while breaking up the scale of the massive facade."

Jury's Comments: "This is the first time we have seen a parking house come alive. The living roof has been incorporated into the building in a very intelligent way, allowing people to run and play, while giving them access to a view, you would normally have to pay for. There are parking houses all over the world, and with this example Denmark can position itself as a leader in this field. Other major cities will want to copy this solution and/or hire Danish companies to design it. We have seen the use of rooftops for leisure before – e.g. for private tennis courts and pools – but with its public access, this solution has a democratic appeal."

Christian Bason, CEO, Danish Design Center shares in a statement: "Corona has changed a lot - also the format for this year's Danish Design Award. But one thing is certain: Design has never been more important. We know we need the creative solutions when we need to restart Denmark and the world - which is why it has been a very special privilege this year to help celebrate the difference that design can make.”

Learn more about the listed winners below and their works here:

• BETTER LEARNING - Lego Education Spike Prime
• BETTER WORK - Hegenberger Speculum
• FEEL GOOD, FURNITURE - Soft Lounge Chair
• FEEL GOOD, PRODUCT -  MK1 - E
• GAME CHANGER - E-Ferry
• HEALTHY LIFE - Empelvic
• LIVEABLE CITIES - P-House and Fitness Roof Lüders
• MESSAGE SUPPORT - 360 VR Safari
• OUTSTANDING SERVICE - Differentiated Mediation Services
• SAVE RESOURCES - SolarSack
• ICON AWARD - Novo Nordisk Insulin Pens
• EMPLOYMENT GROWTH - Too Good To Go
• YOUNG TALENT - Julia Sand and Ditte Marie Fog
• VISIONARY CONCEPTS - Poosition
• PEOPLE'S CHOICE - 360 VR Safari