beyond your map

Superkilen, a half-mile urban space cutting through a diverse and socially challenged neighborhood in Denmark, serves as a global exhibition of urban best practices. Created by BIG, Topotek1, and SUPERFLEX, it features objects from 60 nationalities in the surrounding area, such as exercise gear from LA, sewage drains from Israel, palm trees from China, and neon signs from Qatar and Russia. Each object is accompanied by stainless plates describing it in Danish and its language of origin, reflecting the neighborhood's true diversity. Divided into three zones—green, black, and red—Superkilen integrates diverse surfaces and colors, creating dynamic surroundings for everyday objects and increasing vegetation throughout the neighborhood.

Arne Jacobsen introduced a novel volumetric approach in this beachside housing scheme, employing a design reminiscent of his single-family houses for a block of apartments. Situated beautifully, the project prioritizes views and sunlight. As an exemplar of the Danish Modern Movement, it aligns with international functionalism principles in a larger unified development. The U-shaped volume, open to the sea, features staggered façades with repeated house typology. Corner windows, a hallmark of Jacobsen's architecture, optimize light, creating a striking contrast between opaque, sunlight-reflecting white planes and dark glazed surfaces for an abstract effect.

CopenHill, or Amager Bakke, is a unique waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen featuring a ski slope, hiking trail, and climbing wall. The 41,000m2 facility, aligned with the city's carbon-neutral goal, replaces an old waste-to-energy plant, integrating advanced waste treatment with recreational infrastructure. The plant's layout supports a 9,000m2 ski slope, rooftop bar, cross-fit area, and climbing wall. The green roof addresses environmental challenges, while the plant processes 440,000 tons of waste annually for clean energy. CopenHill's aluminum brick façade, with a climbing wall and après-ski bar, transforms industrial space into a vibrant destination, promoting economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Arne Jacobsen won a limited architectural competition to build Nyager Elementary School in Rødovre, a Copenhagen suburb. Construction began in 1959 and was completed in 1964. Jacobsen aimed for a layout fostering "intimacy and clarity," inspired by the earlier Munkegård school. The project adheres to a two-meter modulation rhythm, featuring a long main building and pavilion-like structures. Science classrooms and administration are on the west side, with classrooms, courtyards, and sports fields strategically arranged. The administrative wing houses various functions, including offices, a library, and medical facilities. Classrooms optimize natural light, and the building's distinctive roof consists of horizontal beams and wooden panels. The interior boasts teak wood carpentry, painted brick walls, and acoustic aluminum ceilings.

The Justus van Effen complex in Rotterdam, designed by Michiel Brinkman in 1922, defied conventional urban plans by creating an open block with interconnected green courtyards. The innovative design included a wide gallery, or "luchtstraat," serving both utilitarian and communal purposes. Front doors faced the internal area, fostering a sense of community. In the 1980s, the complex underwent renovation, preserving historical elements and adapting to modern standards. The restored complex, now comprising 154 homes of various sizes, received prestigious architectural awards, reflecting its successful integration of history and contemporary living.

In 1964, Aldo van Eyck designed the Roman Catholic Church in Loosduinen, challenging traditional hierarchies. Collaborating with Dom Hans van der Laan, he created a compact design within a limited budget. The church featured cylindrical volumes, a central passage, and golden section proportions. The entrance, marked by two chapels, offered a gradual transition. The building showcased simple severity with large concrete blocks. The transept connected the church and community room, utilizing skylights for intense, concentrated light. The altar was the only designed liturgical object, emphasizing a lack of traditional symbols. Van Eyck aimed to create a reversible and relative space, departing from conventional norms.

The Hilversum Town Hall is the pinnacle of Willem Marinus Dudok's career, situated in a park-like setting on the former 'Den Witten Hull' estate. Dudok, Director of Public Works since 1915, realized his vision for a new town hall in 1928, featuring sculptural cubist volumes and a 48-meter-high tower. The asymmetrical and imposing design, blending New Objectivity and expressionism, defied architectural norms. Dudok's meticulous attention to detail created an interior known as a Gesamtkunstwerk, adapting ambiance to each space's function. A major restoration from 1989 to 1995 addressed frost damage, preserving authenticity and earning the Europa Nostra Award.

Jacobus Johannes Pieter Oud, a key figure in early 20th-century avant-garde movements, showcased his blend of Rationalism and De Stijl in the Kiefhoek neighborhood in south Rotterdam. As the architect of Café De Unie, he concurrently managed the city's Housing Department, granting him design freedom for worker housing innovations. Kiefhoek, featuring 294 homes, shops, a distillery, workshops, playgrounds, and a church, reflected Oud's dialogue between function and poetry. Though the original was demolished in 1978, a near-exact replica by architect Wytze Patijn was constructed from 1989 to 1995, offering a glimpse into Oud's influential housing model.

Situated along a canal in the Spaanse Polder industrial zone, the Van Nelle Factory, designed by architects Johannes Brinkman and Leendert van der Vlugt in the 1920s, is a 20th-century industrial icon in Rotterdam. Representing modern architecture, it functioned as a factory for various products. Renowned for "Het Nieuwe Bouwen," it's a significant industrial monument in the Netherlands. Accessible by bus 38 from Rotterdam Central Station, the factory underwent renovation in 2000 and now houses design and media firms. The versatile space accommodates conferences, meetings, and events for up to 5000 people.

The Sonneveld House, designed by Brinkman and Van der Vlugt for Albertus Sonneveld, offers a glimpse into Dutch functional style. Once owned by the Van Nell factory director, the house, now open to visitors, narrates stories of the influential Sonneveld family in the 1930s. With spacious interiors, balconies, and expansive fenestration, the house provides clear views of lush gardens. Furnished by the Gispen firm, the interior showcases unique items tailored for the Sonnevelds, creating a harmonious blend. Each room, adorned in different colors, serves a distinct function, featuring telephones in almost every space. The Sonneveld House has inspired various Dutch housing styles since its time.