Urban Rigger is an innovative floating housing project situated in the harbor of Copenhagen, designed to address the city's acute shortage of affordable student accommodation. Conceived by the renowned Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Urban Rigger transforms unused waterfront space into a vibrant micro-community, just ten minutes from Copenhagen’s city center.
The project repurposes upcycled shipping containers, stacking nine containers on a floating concrete pontoon to create twelve studio apartments, each ranging from 23 to 30 square meters. These residential units are arranged around a central courtyard that serves as a communal gathering space. Additional shared amenities include a rooftop terrace, kayak dock, bathing platform, barbecue area, laundry facilities, and storage rooms. The design emphasizes smart, compact private living spaces balanced by expansive shared areas to foster social interaction and community living.
Urban Rigger is engineered for sustainability, utilizing heat exchange systems that draw on the surrounding seawater for temperature regulation and rooftop solar panels for electricity. The structure’s insulation features advanced materials to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. The project’s modular nature makes it easily replicable in other harbor cities facing similar space and housing challenges.
Currently, the Urban Rigger community in Copenhagen comprises 72 apartments, accommodating around 100 residents. The project exemplifies a future-ready approach to urban development, bringing new life to underused harbor areas while promoting affordable, sustainable, and community-focused living.