Open House Copenhagen, one of the significant iconic events celebrating Copenhagen’s formal recognition as the World Capital of Architecture for 2023, was announced with great pride by the Danish Architecture Center, the City of Copenhagen, and Bevica Fonden.
During Open House Copenhagen, anyone can explore royal residences and hidden technological installations that are typically off-limits to the public. In the two-day span between March 25 and 26, 2023, over 10,000 people are anticipated to take advantage of the free admission and enjoy the festivities.
Open House Copenhagen
Over 30 years ago, in London, UK, the Open House initiative first got its start. Since then, it has been sponsored by various groups from more than 50 locations worldwide, making it one of the most prominent architectural events worldwide and drawing an estimated 1 million visitors in 2019 alone. Danish Architecture Center collaborated with Bevica Fonden, the City of Copenhagen, and Karberghus to create the Open House event in Copenhagen.
Visitors to Open House Copenhagen will be able to get up hands-on with some of Copenhagen’s most impressive buildings and learn about the history that lies beneath their surface. More than 40 buildings will be available to the public, allowing participants to see how architecture has changed over time and how modern architects view the ideals of human habitation.
Denmark’s National Banken, widely regarded as Arne Jacobsen’s magnum opus, is among the program’s most anticipated one-of-a-kind locations. Building security usually prevents the public from entering the lobby and banking hall, but these areas will be available for Open House Copenhagen.
Urban Rigger, a creation by Bjarke Ingels, can be found on Refshaleøen and is another must-see. The “future-fit” architecture, taking the form of six tiny islands of light-blue containers, is a foundation for a one-of-a-kind urban lifestyle for one hundred people out on the sea.
Tour-goers will also glimpse the inner workings of Copenhagen’s public utilities and energy facilities and have the chance to investigate a 320-meter-long tunnel located 25 meters below the earth. A total of ten urban gardens, including a restored courtyard built by Henning Larsen Architects and a rooftop garden atop JDS Architects’ Birkegade building, will also be publicly available.
These locations will be available to the public during Open House Copenhagen:
- Kanonbådsskurene / 3XN’s Architectural Studio
- A-House
- Assistens Cemetery: Von Scholten’s Mausoleum
- Axelborg
- Banegaarden
- Birkegade Rooftop Garden
- Bispebjerg Cemetery’s Columbarium (urns)
- Apartment in BLOX
- Brønnums Hus
- Langebro Bridge Tower
- CBS Kilen “The Wedge”
- Center for Kræft & Sundhed
- Courtyard: Den Grønne Firkant “The Green Square”
- DR Koncerthuset “Danish Broadcasting Corporation Concert Hall”
- BUEN “The Arch”
- FABRIKKEN – A Factory for Art and Design
- Frederiksberg Fire Station
- Courtyard of the Future on Askøgade
- Courtyard of the Future on Tomsgårdsvej
- Gærtårnet “The Yeast Tower”
- Courtyard: Bangertsgadekarréen “The Bangtersgade Block”
- Courtyard: Nattergalevej
- Grundtvig’s Church
- Harsdorffs Hus
- HOFOR: Utility Tour in Islands Brygge
- HOFOR: Seawater Chamber at Ofelia Plads
- HOFOR: Kløvermarken Pumping Station – Denmark’s Largest Sewage Pumping Station
- Hotel Danmark
- Hotel Ottilia
- Kanalhuset
- Courtyard: Kirkekarréen “The Church Block”
- Kløvermarken Gasworks
- KMC Nordhavn “The Camel”
- Courtyard: Københavnerkarréen “The Copenhagener Block”
- ‘ Courtyard: Klimakarréen “The Climate Block”
- Langelinieskuret “The Old Customs House”
- Sundholm: Kedelhallen “The Boiler Room”
- Denmarks Nationalbank
- Østerbro Fire Station
- Østre Landsret “Danish Eastern High Court”
- Panum and The Maersk Tower
- Frederiksberg Courthouse
- Rigshospitalet’s North Wing
- Skabelonloftet “The Drafting Loft”
- THE KRANE
- Trafiktårn Øst “Traffic Tower East”
- Urban Rigger
- Urbanplanen – Social Housing
- Courtyard: Wesselsgadekarréen “The Wesselsgade Block”
- Zieglers Gaard
In addition to the Open House Copenhagen, many other architecture-related events are scheduled for Copenhagen this year. Following its designation as the 2023 World Capital of Architecture, Copenhagen will play home to the UIA World Congress of Architects.
The Danish Architecture Center has also declared the opening of the first permanent exhibition on the history of Danish Architecture, which will examine the numerous progressive and people-oriented buildings found in Copenhagen.