What To Do In Copenhagen: Day 3

Copenhagen Day 3!

Day 3 focussed on the harbour area opposite Ørestad, We began our day at Sydhavnstippen, walking through Sluseholmen Canal District. This residential development is built on 8 artificial islands seperated by dug-out canals. The varied cityscape is heavily influenced by Dutch cities, the masterplan's architect being Dutch. 

Going across the bridge from Sluseholmen, we end up in Teglholmen, featuring more developments. 

The view back onto Sluseholmen from Teglholmen. 

The view looking West from Teglholmen.

Some of the architecture in Teglholmen.

We then got on the 'boat tram', one of the forms of public transport. From the river we got to see the Opera House and the Play House.

Tourist sight seeing after getting off the boat.

A lamp post in Amerika Plads made to look like a dragon!

We then visited the Design Museum, featuring lots of furniture and some of the famous chairs designed by architects!

There was so much to see and sketch, we could've stayed there for hours! However, we moved on to the palace, and on the way there we came across this impressive cathedral!

One of the guards, not too different from the English ones.

Then coming out of the palace courtyard, we see this view. The Opera House sat across the river.

Design is everywhere in Copenhagen!

Lastly we needed food! We asked the people in Generator where they would recommend, because we wanted something good value for money, but where we hadn't tried before. We went to Dalle Valle, which though was a bit difficult to find, was amazing value! It's hidden away down a pedestrian street, but is massive, and the waiters seem to have fun with their job!

That was our last dinner in Copenhagen, we definitely saved the best until last!

After all the walking we'd done that day, it was time to go back to the hostel and have a well deserved drink!! 

What To Do In Copenhagen: Day 2

Hello Copenhagen Day 2!

This day was dedicated to Ørestad, a development in the south of Copenhagen. This major urban expansion scheme started in 1994, where a masterplanning competition was held, the outcome diving the space into four parts; Ørestad Nord, Amager Faelled District, Ørestad City and Ørestad Syd. It features lots of works by well-known architects, the first building being finished in 2001.

When complete, 20,000 people will live there, 80,000 will work there and 20,000 will study there. Very ambitious!  

We began the day in Ørestad Syd, making our way there by tram from the Central Station. 

The first building we came across when arriving at Ørestad Syd tram station was this intriguing car park. Not sure what it is called, but I'm assuming it provides parking to the developments seen behind.  

The development furthest away from the centre of town is BIG's 8 Tallet, finished in 2010. This was the first of BIG's buildings I got to experience on the trip, not realizing how well known he is in the architecture world.

From 8 Tallet, we walked toward Ørestad Nord, stopping at various places along the way.

This building below is Ørestad Gymnasium by 3XN, completed in 2006. This isn't any ordinary school, the interior being mostly open plan, aiming to achieve a more dynamic study environment. 

Next up are BIG's 2 other developments in the Ørestad area. Firstly, the VM Houses.

Hidden behind the VM Houses is the Mountain Dwelling. My first impression of this building was that it was completely abstract. Someone in our group said, 'I don't like it...' and to that the tutor replied, 'It's fine if you don't like it, as long as you understand it beforehand.' This made my outlook on it change somewhat, wanting to find out more about it, to prove to myself why I found it so odd. After doing an essay assignment on it, I found myself falling in love with the building, and BIG's architectural aspirations. 

Underneath the box-like living accomodation is the parking, hidden by the metal mountain screen. 

On the opposite facade is the 'natural' mountain, where all apartments have a balcony overlooking the field beyond.

I wasn't sure what this next building was when we went there, but now I think it is the Concert Hall. Though images show it lit up blue at night, because we went there during the day, I can't remember what the exterior looked like! However the interior bounces light off of the concrete, the glass acting as shelter from the outside, with the concrete holding the purpose.

Outside the Concert Hall, materials have been used to cleverly hide the services of the building.

Below is the IT University by Henning Larsen. If this was my university, I would want to be there all the time! The small pods are used as study areas, overlooking the light filled circulation space. 

The Tietgen Students' Hall provides accommodation for the surrounding university. The contrast between this and UK student halls is immense!

After what seemed like an hour or 2, we found the Opera House, which is completely out of the way from the rest of the city, or so it seemed. The quickest and easiest way to get there would be by the boat, which you can use the tram tickets on, and runs right down the centre of the city. 

Though not the best weather on the day, we got to experience standing underneath that massive cantilevering roof!!

It seems like hiding services is a common attribute in Danish architecture, seen previously in the Copenhagen Concert Hall.

That night, we ate at an Italian pizza restaurant round the corner from Generator Hostel. As good as the pizza was, I don't think the owner understood a lot of Danish, let alone English, so there was a lot of menu pointing and trying to communicate in weird accents!

Stay tuned for day 3, featuring more walking and more architecture!

What To Do In Copenhagen: Day 1

In February we had a reading week, basically a week with no lectures, and I took this time to visit Copenhagen with my uni course. I wasn't sure what to expect when we went to Copenhagen, but after visiting, I understand why it was one of the travel choices. If you're thinking of going somewhere to look at design, Copenhagen has so much to offer. 

We had 4 days to do everything, and this is what we got up to! 

We arrived into Copenhagen Airport around midday, and made our way to our hostel in Kongens Nytorv. We made our way to our accomodation, Generator Hostel, really easy to find, and would recommend for students like us who don't mind bunking together! 

Down the road from the hostel is Nyhavn, with lots of restaurants with set menus. Lit up at night it looks beautiful!

We then wandered down Strøget, the main shopping street in Copenhagen. Apart from being filled with lots of shops, there was one building which caught our eye, seen in the picture below.

The Lego shop! Denmark being the home of Lego, makes the shop a must-see, with its massive models.

Various pictures of wandering around Rådhuspladsen

The Danish Design Centre, where they had a fashion exhibition made out of lots of straws! 

This is where we begin to look at the architecture...

The Crystal & The Cloud, by Schmidt Hammer Lassen (2010-2011)

This building is amazing to take pictures of when the sun is out and no one else is around!

We weren't able to go inside, but instead, go underneath the building.

First sight of The Black Diamond, by Schmidt Hammer Lassen (1999)

You wouldn't think The Black Diamond was built in 1999, it was truly ahead of its time!

Architecture photographer at his best!!

The Black Diamond is a public library, and if in small groups, they allow you inside. 

If you can make it to the top floor, you get to experience this view!

The front of the Danish Jewish Museum, unfortunately we didn't get to go in!

Making our way to the Danish Architecture Centre

Dinner for the first night at Skipperkroen down Nyhavn. One of the cheaper places down Nyhavn, quite fancy, but wasn't busy when we went!

That draws a close to our first day of exploring -

Be prepared for more walking, and lots more architecture!