beyond your map

Kay Fisker's usual architectural clarity takes a dualistic turn in the Vodroffsvej apartment building from 1929. Combining functionalism with tradition, its flat roof, layered facade, and projecting bays resemble a chest of drawers, earning it the nickname "The Sandwich Cake house." Despite the appearance of reinforced concrete, the building is traditionally constructed, showcasing Fisker's deliberate camouflage of brick statics for a unique aesthetic. Situated on a triangular site, the building consists of two wings of varying heights, earning it the nickname "The Iron." Originally housing seven shops and 18 flats, Vodroffsvej reflects Fisker's attempt to blend modern and traditional elements in architecture.

Krøyers Plads, a five-story housing project in the heart of Copenhagen's harbor area, was designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects and COBE. The Nordic Eco-labeled project, characterized by folded roofs and architectural heaviness, successfully bridges the gap between old and new, offering a modern interpretation of Copenhagen's historic warehouses. Located near iconic landmarks like the Royal Playhouse and Nyhavn, the project includes three-story housing units with 105 apartments and ground-floor amenities. The design reflects a hyper-democratic approach, involving local communities in decisions about building height and materials. Completed in 2013, the project now stands as an award-winning and contextually sensitive addition to Copenhagen's architectural landscape.

The SAS Royal Hotel, now Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, stands as one of Arne Jacobsen's major architectural achievements. This iconic structure, Copenhagen's first skyscraper, opened in 1960 as a symbol of prosperity and international travel. Jacobsen's meticulous design extends from the precise minimalist exterior to the carefully planned total interior, making it a quintessential expression of his modern aesthetic. The 22-storey building, divided into two volumes, features a sleek rectangular design with a grid structure and large glazed sections. Jacobsen's furnishings for the hotel remain influential in furniture design, reflecting the enduring legacy of this landmark. The lower volume once housed an airport terminal, emphasizing the hotel's dual function. Today, the SAS Royal Hotel is celebrated for its timeless design and cultural significance.

How can parking houses be more than just functional structures? In designing a parking facility for Copenhagen's Nordhavn area, the challenge was to create an attractive public space. Instead of concealing the conventional structure, the proposal by JAJA Architects enhances the beauty of the grid with a system of plant boxes, introducing a new scale and distributing greenery across the façade. Two large public stairs penetrate the grid, with a continuous railing transforming into playful elements like swings and jungle gyms on the rooftop. This innovative approach turns the parking house into an appealing urban feature that respects the scale and culture of Nordhavn.

Arne Jacobsen, during the design of Rødovre Town Hall, drew inspiration from Saarinen's General Motors scheme in Detroit. The project consists of a large horizontal volume for municipal offices and a separate pavilion-like building housing the council chamber. The office wing, with three above-grade floors and a basement, features a free floor plan supported by concrete pillars. The façades exhibit differential deformations balanced by T-shaped metal angles, forming the curtain wall structure. The basement includes staff rooms, while the ground floor houses the main vestibule and various offices. The first floor accommodates the mayor's office and municipal auditor, and the second floor hosts technical departments, a cafeteria, and a reception room. The exterior showcases contrasting glazed curtain walls and black Sølvag stone covering closed walls, with a 90-degree shift in the council pavilion.

The Silo, part of Copenhagen's Nordhavn transformation, is a 17-storey former grain silo converted into residential apartments and public spaces by Danish architects COBE. The industrial concrete facade was reclad with galvanized steel, preserving the raw interior. The 38 unique apartments vary in size and maintain panoramic views. Public access is provided on the top and ground floors, hosting a restaurant with a 360-degree view and a flexible event space, ensuring constant activity. The Silo, completed in May 2017, celebrates industrial heritage and contributes to the revitalization of Nordhavn.

Arne Jacobsen initiated the design for this group of five houses before his exile in Sweden, refining the project upon his return to Denmark. The interconnected units, with varying depths and movement, create a unified structure. The buildings can be perceived as a solid brick complex or a collection of glazed panes, offering a facade with dynamic visual qualities. Jacobsen strategically positions the ensemble based on views and sunlight, a concept seen in his earlier Kædehuse project. Notably, the glazed vertical plan illuminates the interiors, and the roofs, featuring breaks and folds, contribute to the spatial scale. Jacobsen's residence, the last house, includes a private garden where he experimented with diverse plant types.

The 8 House, Denmark's largest private development, is a bowtie-shaped mixed-use building in Orestad commissioned in 2006. It combines three types of residential housing with 10,000 sqm of retail and offices. The design features horizontal layers connected by a continuous promenade and cycling path, creating a three-dimensional urban neighborhood. Two courtyards and a wide passage enhance connectivity, while the unique shape allows light and air into the southern courtyard. The building's continuous public path promotes community engagement, and sloping green roofs reduce the urban heat island effect. With 476 housing units, including various apartments and offices, the 8 House offers a diverse living experience with stunning views of Copenhagen Canal and Kalvebod Faelled's open spaces.

This Arne Jacobsen housing scheme features primarily small apartments and is situated near another complex he built six years earlier. While using the same exterior materials, Jacobsen altered the floor plan layout, reducing built depth and changing the staircase position. The absence of protruding elements gives the buildings a more conventional appearance. The block's floor plan is divided by a party wall, with staircases creating a rhythm of perpendicular walls. The layout alternates services, bedroom, and balcony with daytime zones. In end apartments, the typology changes while maintaining the geometrical order's logic.

Cirkelbroen, designed by Olafur Eliasson, celebrates pedestrians and reflects the daily life around Christianshavn's canal. The bridge, made of five circular platforms, is part of a larger circle forming a pedestrian route around Copenhagen Harbour. Eliasson envisions it as a meeting place, encouraging people to slow down and engage in introspection. The bridge aims to contribute to the quality of urban space and promote inclusivity. Eliasson advocates for involving diverse professionals, including artists, in urban planning to nurture atmospheres that enhance the overall urban experience.

Arne Jacobsen designed the Texaco and Tempo petrol stations, but only the Texaco station was built. Located north of Copenhagen, it is a simple yet exemplary structure with an inclined concrete canopy supported by a single reinforced concrete pillar. The canopy extends over the gas station, acting more as a sign than a protective cover. The adjacent rectangular structure houses a small workshop and services. At night, spotlights on the pillar create a magical sense of lightness, reminiscent of the Stelling Hus.