A new headquarters of Microsoft situated in the city center of Lyngby to the north of Copenhagen was officially opened at the end of 2015. In Microsoft the IT giant combined business activity and employees of two Dutch branches of the company. Two cubic buildings – 6-floor and 7-floor structures – connected by a common atrium offering space for social and occupational interactions constitute a part of the vision of Microsoft to create "open and welcoming environment" for employees.
The project of the building is strictly connected with the methodology of work suggested by Microsoft, which is based on processes of cooperation defined by Bill Gates in the white book titled "The New World of Work" in 2005. Architects from Henning Larsen Architects were concentrated on creating environment favoring cooperation of interiors as well as cooperation with clients and partners. It is reflected in premises of different size designed in accordance with the principle of active work environment – from small through medium size conference rooms and large auditoriums. Lower floors of the building offer public rooms such as cafe, auditory and zones for students of the Dutch University of Technology.
Social "hubs" including kitchen, rooms designed as living rooms, Xboxes and table football are situated centrally at each level. It is a place where employees meet each other. These rooms deepen interaction and encourage to share knowledge between departments. Interestingly, all working posts are situated across the building's facade in order to provide employees with optimal conditions of daylight during the whole day at work.
The building of the size amounting to 18 000 sq. m was realized in close cooperation of Microsoft with the project's investor Danica Pension. The team responsible for investment was composed of Henning Larsen Architects studio, turnkey contractor Hoffmann and engineers of Grontmij.
Microsoft Domicile is a part of a larger public development which will also include e.g. apartments, shops or cafe. The project is an important element in realization of the vision devised by Lyngby-Taarbæk, according to which Lyngby will become one of the leading university cities as well as center of knowledge and creativity in Northern Europe.