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Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen

BIG's Amager Bakke power station photographed by Hufton + Crow

Architecture photography studio Hufton + Crow has captured the chimney of Amager Bakke, a waste-to-energy power station covered by a ski slope designed by BIG, rising from the mist.

The Danish architecture firm completed the pioneering waste-to-energy power plant for Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2019.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow captured the power plant shrouded in mist

Designed in collaboration with SLA Architects, the energy station is topped by the dry ski slope of the Copenhill mountain activity centre.

Hufton + Crow shot the 124-metre-high chimney and chequered aluminium facade gleaming in the sunrise using a drone.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
A ski slope sits on top of the power plant

These new photos show the landscaping around the winding ski slope has bedded in, so the whole sloping side of the power station looks like a bright green hillock.

Starting at a height of 90 metres, the 400-metre long slope serviced by a lift makes a 180-degree turn as it twists down to ground level.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
The dry ski slope is surrounded by greenery

Trees planted on the slope act as windbreaks and shade for hikers, who can follow walking trails up the slope.

Along with outdoor pursuits, the plan is for the green roof to add biodiversity to the industrial area it sits in by attracting bees and butterflies. Visitors will be encouraged to contribute by planting seed bombs.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
A climbing wall is built up one side of the power station

Part of the activity centre features a climbing wall up one of the power station's vertical faces.

Hufton + Crow's photographs show the vertiginous climbing wall is covered in a rainbow of colourful holds and bevelled surfaces to create challenging ascents.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
A viewpoint at the top overlooks Copenhagen

The top of the slope is crowned by a viewpoint, an attraction where visitors can look out over the city and enjoy panoramic views.

Built as a replacement for Copenhagen's ageing Amagerforbraending facility, the power station generates power by burning the city's waste.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
The power plant turns waste into energy

Photos taken by Hufton + Crow show giant industrial claws hovering above a mountain of rubbish that arrives in bin lorries and is tipped or shovelled straight into the power plant.

As a waste-to-energy facility, Amager Bakke helps Denmark reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and provides a greener alternative to landfill. The plant is expected to process some 400,000 tonnes of waste a year and heat 140,000 households.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Steam rises from the distinctive chimney

In 2015 BIG founder Bjarke Ingels launched a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter to raise money to install technology in the chimney that would allow it to blow smoke rings from steam.

The original plan was for the chimney to emit a puff of steam for every ton of CO2 burned on Earth, to make a statement about climate change.

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow used a drone to capture aerial views

Hufton + Crow is an architecture photography studio founded by Nick Hufton and Allan Crow.

Previous projects photographed by the duo include MAD's Huangshan Mountain Village and the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Photography is by Hufton + Crow.

More images

Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen
Hufton + Crow photographs of Amager Bakke, the power station and ski slope designed by BIG in Copenhagen