Copenhagen - Architecture Tour
To Read This Post You Must Like Buildings, or Biking, and/ or Saunas
The following is a quick architecture tour of Copenhagen, limited by what you can reach via bike or public transit. Biking would be a great and perhaps a nerve-wracking way to tire out children, as I can confirm it was for adults.
I’ll interrupt these travel guides with some Toronto restaurants, and then I think I will continue with Paris, Venice, Maine, and California (Big Sur) this year.
There is so much more to see in Copenhagen than what I have suggested here. I avoided the main attractions, City Centre, the Palace, and the Carlsberg District. Those you can find on your own, or on a walking tour. The following are the sites we sought out with architects, developers, and property managers to learn more about the Danish values of sustainable design and ‘livability’.
What was striking about the people we met were their acceptance of the tax system - they see a true ROI from their government. The City is clean, transit works, tourists are well-accommodated. What’s more, in Denmark, students are paid to stay in school; continued education is valued and there is an emphasis on curiosity and a focus on constant improvement that is tangible - you see it the City’s design and function, and of course in conversation.
A Morning on Paper Island
Paper Island was once home to a shipyard and military hospital; now, the island has a food market, hotel, and incredible homes. Described as an ‘urban oasis’ it is an easy walk, or boat ride from City centre. The many design shops are worth the stop and the nearby Opera House has a really, really fantastic restaurant.
A Morning Bike Tour of Ørestad Suburb
If you map it out and bike the following sites, the ride is ~ 30 minutes (plus your time for stops). The first three sites are all close together.
Mountain Dwellings - Above grade parking and residences by Danish architect PLOT. Each apartment has an L-shaped floor plan and a terrace with a garden. The above grade parking façade is muraled with the Himalayan peaks. The roof gardens are really something to see; this is exactly how I had pictured Danish architecture
8 House - Or BIG HOUSE, is one of the most photographed buildings in Copenhagen, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). The building looks like a figure 8, or a bow and offers different types of residential housing as well as retail and office. The building won Best Green Roof in Scandinavia and that has to be mean something…
Upcycle Studios - Winner of the 2019 Danish Design Award, this development was really cool to see. It is built entirely from recycled concrete, repurposed double glazing windows, and discarded floor boards. A sustainable project - built by ‘waste’ - that does not compromise design.
BONUS - CopenHill - This one is on your instagram, the “epicenter for urban mountain sports” CopenHill is a ski slope, mountain climbing, and powerplant. If your legs are not too tired from biking, you can walk up the hill for free.
An Afternoon in Nordhavnen
15-minutes by metro from the centre of the City, the Nordhavnen area was a former industrial neighbourhood that has transformed to residences, offices, and of course - saunas on the water, a tenant amenity for many office buildings.
The City-within-a-City was designed to put all of life’s necessities within a 400m walk; and it’s true - you see a dentist, carpet store, bakery, daycare all on one block. After spending time in the City, it is remarkable to walk Nordhavnen and start to recognize the outposts of some of the best bakeries like Andersen & Maillard, or the wine bars. One of the most interesting things we were told on our tour was just how quickly it was built, with full government support; 2 years for some buildings, just 5 years for entire blocks…
Would strongly suggest a walking tour to see the sights; but no need to stay for a meal - just a pastry to tie you over. Sites to see: Portland Towers, UN City, Konditaget Luders (the Pompidou-inspired pink parking lot that cruise ships now stop for).
Happy Travels!
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