Infrastructure Transforms into Architectural Landmarks in Urban Settings

Large-scale infrastructure facilities, historically placed on city peripheries for efficiency, are increasingly becoming visible architectural elements within urban landscapes. Structures like ports and power plants, once considered purely functional, now assert spatial identities and participate in civic life. This shift reflects how global trade intensification and complex energy systems require infrastructure to serve institutional, symbolic, and urban roles beyond mere operation. The transformation is illustrated by projects such as BIG's CopenHill power plant and urban recreation center, which integrate infrastructure into the city's self-projection.