An exciting new building dominates the Copenhagen waterfront and as part of my recent visit I couldn’t wait to take a look inside.
Eleven years in the making, BLOX sits handsomely alongside its contemporary neighbours, The Royal Library, Royal Danish Playhouse and Copenhagen Opera House. At ground level it mirrors the unique colour of the city canal while the upper levels reference the copper spires of the churches that punch through the skyline beyond.
Described by OMA, the internationally renowned Dutch architects who created it as ‘a city within the city’, across its floors you’ll find everything from apartments, offices, a gym, restaurant (I totally recommend going for brunch) as well as a playground. Most importantly for me however it’s also the home of the Danish Architecture Center (DAC).
Materials, simplicity and everyday life
To enter this striking building visitors have to head underground before being greeted by a reception of black concrete, rubber and steel. It may be more New York than Nyhavn but it still encompasses the cornerstones of Nordic design; materials, simplicity and everyday life.
On our visit the opening exhibitions included the big and colourful installation, ‘Multiple shadow house’ by renowned Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson in the fabulous Golden Gallery, as well as ‘Welcome Home’, which tells the story of Danish housing and how this pioneering nation live now.
Denmark is as Denmark lives
Starting with the striking title, ‘Denmark is as Denmark lives’ the exhibition follows how the Danish home and the country’s social history have developed side by side since the early 1900s; how a home and a house are two very different things; and how good architecture improves our quality of life. When our homes are comfortable, secure and functional we treat each other and our surroundings better.
Even as early as 1853, with the construction of Brumbleby in Osterbro, politicians and business owners were already recognising the benefits of a healthy home and accessible social spaces for the city’s workers; how everyone, regardless of their status, should be provided with a place to dwell, live and dream.
Light, air and landscape
By the pre-war years Danish homes, built out of the traditional yellow brick, focussed on light, air and landscape, already had that signature balcony to maximise daylight hours and connect its inhabitants with the outside world.
In 1947 the ‘Finger Plan’ was developed, an urban redevelopment project built around the metropolitan train lines spreading like fingers on a hand from the ‘palm’ of central Copenhagen and the green spaces in between.
Once this infrastructure was in place for the next twenty years there was a massive investment in social housing. With a sense of strong community and social impact at its heart, residents were ensured that alongside their homes they would have places to socialise and shop, surrounded by expanses of parkland so, despite being large scale, the estates where inviting and thriving.
Prioritising people
Denmark’s politicians and decision makers once again set a precedent in 2002 by prioritising people instead of wide roads and car parks in their last shake up of city planning. It is as a result of this that Copenhagen looks and feels like the city we know and love today, and stands as testament to why nearly 40% of people in the city can cycle safely every day.
But what of the future? And what social changes will affect our next housing decisions? As we live longer, rent rather than buy, and have less and less space available to us, the exhibition ends by asking us, the visitor, how can we personally have an influence over the future of housing – both for ourselves and the communities we are part of.
Architecture can change the world
Before my visit, in My Blogger’s Guide to Copenhagen, Rikke Brams from That Nordic Feeling said that after visiting DAC you will leave with a new view on how architecture can change the world and I can safely say I totally agree.
Find out more about the DAC, or give their podcast a listen.
Images by Nicola Capper and courtesy of the DAC.
This looks amazing, you’re so lucky you got to visit!
Such an amazing place, I will certainly be returning soon!
This sounds like an absolutely fascinating place to visit, funnily enough I was last in Copenhagen just when they were starting to build this so a good excuse for a revisit I think X
I couldn’t agree more!
Fantastic new building! I’ve only been to the city once but I’d love to go back one day. Also, the Danish got urbanism right from the beginning. It makes me sad how badly cities were planned in the UK after the war. They should have looked towards the Danish instead of the Americans!
I totally agree Juan, putting people first isn’t such a big ask.
So wonderful to hear it’s finished! It wasn’t quite open when I visited last year. I agree to on the people prioritisation. Loved the cycling culture over there
It will certainly be a place I return to!
Thank you for writing this Nicola. Planning with a focus on people is not at the heart of what Greek authorities know how to do. I come from a country where anyone can build anything they fancy (with some restrictions on height only depending on the zone you’re in). Parks are not a priority. Health & safety is also not considered…
It does sadden and anger me in equal measure that this approach isn’t the norm.
Sounds like a really fascinating place to visit. I’ve not been to Copenhagen but I’d put this on my list if I do go.
I’ll certainly be using their app to tour the city next time!
I always wanted to visit this place , Danish know and have a fantastic sense of style , i also find them incredibly welcoming and nice people
Everything just ‘works’ which is not something you usually say about a busy city!
This sounds like a great visit I love when design looks at how we live as well as looking great
It certainly gave me a lot to think about!
Such an interesting debate that we don’t often think about. Would love to visit this city one day…
Its shocking that we don’t isn’t it.
Looks and sounds like a fascinating place to visit! You must have been thrilled to have had the opportunity to. 😀 x
I’ve been itching to get inside this building for so long, and it certainly didn’t disappoint x
I’ve not been to Copenhagen but it’s top of my travel bucket list. I’m also a huge believer in the fact that architecture has the power to transform our quality of life. I interviewed Ilse Crawford many years ago and this is exactly her philosophy. I really wish the UK would take more inspiration from Nordic and Scandinavian countries when it comes to city planning. There is a huge potential to improve our wellbeing.
Wow Stacey, how amazing to interview Ilse Crawford, you will need to tell me all about it sometime!
Wow, doesn’t it look amazing. Such a fabulous place to visit. x
I’ll certainly be visiting again!