People at the centre
Danish architecture is known for its humanism. And Copenhagen is in constant motion, yet it holds on to the proud architecture and design past created by pioneers such as Jørn Utzon, Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner. Right now, the city is preparing itself for a greener future.
Danish architecture is designed for life. Thus, it is not strange that Copenhagen has been crowned as the best city to live in several times. Beauty goes hand in hand with functionality in a vibrating metropolis, which guards its unique historical cores at the same time as it develops new, sustainable buildings, creating the Copenhagen of the future.
Cosmopolitan and cosy – ‘hyggelig’
Everything from Jørn Utzon’s imposing Opera House in Sydney to Vilhelm Lauritzen’s rounded functionalist Radio House and Arne Jakobsen’s world renowned Egg are created with the focus on the people which will use the final product. The democratic expression and simple design is a central part of modern Danish architecture and design. In this way, Copenhagen mirrors the Danish mentality and the city becomes cosmopolitan and ‘hyggelig’ (roughly translates to cosy) at the same time.
The world’s oldest monarchy
In the heart of the old Copenhagen lies Amalienborg, where the Danish royal family lives. Frederiksstaden dates back to the 18th century and is a natural centre for Copenhagen, with its wide streets and imposing bourgeois houses and palaces. Like many other European cities, Copenhagen is growing considerably in these years. Just as the architect Niels Eigtved planned Frederiksstaden to create unity between the city and the citizen, also the new Copenhagen is characterised by innovation and architectural development, which creates a city with the people at its core.
Traditional, yet always contemporary
The urban planning and construction boom of the last decades show how a city is constantly changing, yet at the same time it holds on to its proud past. Copenhagen’s skyline does not consist of hotels and office building – it is made of spires and towers. The studio BIG, with its star architect Bjarke Ingels at the lead, has created several of the city’s new landmarks. The figure- eight-shaped BIG House (8TALLET) has been called the world’s best residential building. The studio’s latest project – Copenhill (Amager Bakke) – is the world’s most modern and environmentally friendly waste-to-energy plant which, in the typical Copenhagen spirit, will also be a recreation space with a roof that can be used all year long for skiing, climbing, running and hiking.
Life lived by the water
Copenhagen is located by the sea. The harbour and canals do not only connect the city, they are also clean enough to bathe in and the Copenhageners gather along the edges of the water in cafés and harbour pools, while the new residential areas are gently incorporated in the existing setting. The cyclists pass by the water as well, with the Inner Harbour Bridge, also known as the ‘Kissing Bridge’, as the next example of infrastructure making life easier for the city’s countless cyclists.
Democratic meeting places
Danish architects always consider the organic unity in their work. Therefore, a big part of the authentic Copenhagen is well preserved. This makes Copenhagen vibrating and conservative at the same time. Old royal gardens such as the King’s Garden from the 17th century and the modern meeting space Superkilen are just two examples of the countless meeting places in the middle of the city. The Copenhageners meet each other in the public space and ‘community’ has been a code word for Danish architects for a long time – both when they build and when they plan.
Sustainability goals from a humane perspective
Danish architects have worked with sustainability long before it became a buzzword. It seems just natural that the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts will dedicate the next years to develop architecture and design which can contribute to create a more sustainable world. All graduation projects must relate to the goals and the future architects and designers will therefore, one more time, be the drivers of growth through the development of innovative lectures on global challenges. Of course, everything done with people at the centre.
Choice of captions:
Maersk Tower (2017): Architect: C. F. Møller. The generous university building with its rounded corners and warm colours is made to give back to the community.
Copenhill/Amager Bakke (end of 2017): Architect: BIG. Waste-to-energy plant and ski slope in one. A typical example of contemporary Danish architecture, which is both functional and sustainable, and simultaneously invites Copenhageners to use the area for recreation.
Islands Brygge Harbour Bath: Open air swimming right in the middle of Copenhagen’s inner harbour, where Copenhageners bathe all year long in the centre of the vibrant metropolis.
Amalienborg (1748): Architect: Nicolai Eigtved. Denmark is the world’s oldest monarchy and the royal family lives in the rococo palace Amalienborg, located in Frederiksstaden in the heart of Copenhagen.
The Royal Danish Playhouse/Skuespillehuset (2008): Architect: Lundgaard and Tranberg. With its unique location on Kvæsthusbroen, the Royal Playhouse is an example of newer, world class Danish architecture.
Inner Harbour Bridge/Inderhavnsbroen (2016): Architect: Studio Bednarski. Popularly known as the Kissing Bridge. Cyclists and pedestrians can now pass effortlessly from the city centre to Christianshavn.