RUM was commissioned as the architect for a circular underground parking facility and a visionary urban transformation situated behind Frederiksberg Town Hall. The design integrates accommodating everyday parking needs with climate adaptation and an inviting green urban space that fosters community and city life. The project team was distinguished with praise by Frederiksberg Municipality’s awards committee for its holistic approach, and the square has now been nominated for the Arne Award 2026.
Space-Efficient Underground Car Park with Spiral Ramp
Rather than a conventional multi-storey car park with separate entry and exit ramps and small connecting ramps between floors, the underground facility behind Frederiksberg Town Hall is designed as a single, large spiral ramp. Resembling a snail shell, the ramp descends four levels. The 13-metre-deep, spiral-shaped parking ramp optimises spatial efficiency, as vehicles park along the ramp itself—including at the base, which is the only flat surface. In total, the facility accommodates 275 parking spaces. Access by car is via Solbjerget, while two stair towers provide pedestrian entry.
A Seamless and Secure Parking Experience
The circular design of the underground car park simplifies parking: drivers simply take the first available space encountered along the route. Vehicles utilise a common central lane for both entry and exit with parking spaces positioned perpendicularly on either side. Colour coding enhances wayfinding, while a three-storey cylindrical atrium visually unifies the facility. Skylights introduce natural light, ensuring a safe and pleasant environment. A glass lift within the atrium further elevates the user experience.
Climate Adaptation with Stormwater Management
Beneath the facility, a reservoir collects rainwater during heavy downpours, delaying its entry into the sewer system. The reservoir has a capacity of 3,000 m³ of rainwater, which can subsequently be pumped and reused for irrigation. This feature supports the municipality’s climate adaptation strategy.
A Vibrant Urban Square at the Heart of Frederiksberg
Frederiksberg Municipality sought to transform the former car park behind the Town Hall into an attractive, lively urban square for residents. The space is designed to appeal to all age groups, offering recreational areas for play, relaxation, art, culture, and movement. It will also host market functions, such as food stands and the popular flea market, Loppetorvet.
From Backyard to Urban Forecourt with Historical Traces
The parking area behind the Town Hall had long functioned purely as a “backyard.” The project reimagines now the space as a “forecourt” or “front garden” for the Town Hall and Frederiksberg Gardens, complementing the surrounding architecture: Hassager, 4. Maj Kollegiet, Møstings Hus, and the villas along Andebakkestien. The paving design incorporates historical structures, reflecting the former route of Frederiksberg Bredegade across the square.
Biodiversity-Enhancing Green Oases
Landscaping plays a central role in the project, linking the urban square’s rhythm with the greenery of Frederiksberg Gardens. Solbjerget, which forms the entry and exit points for the car park, will be transformed into a lush, sensory landscape featuring plantings of grasses, perennials, and small stone arrangements will foster biodiversity and engage the senses.
Climate Adaptation
Both the parking facility and the urban square form integral components of the municipality’s climate resilience strategy, together forming a comprehensive climate resilience installation. In addition to installing rainwater-absorbing modules, the existing Andebakkedammen will be transformed into Andebakkesøen. This will preserve its role as a recreational space while enhancing its capacity to handle stormwater during extreme weather events. The stored rainwater can subsequently be pumped and utilised for watering trees and plant beds in times of drought.
