Get to know some exciting buildings with astonishing backgrounds
Some visit Copenhagen just to be inspired by outstanding architecture. And the most famous buildings are easy to find, but there should probably be more unknown buildings that still shine a little? So I found a number of them that caught my interest, and just had to find out more. Let’s explore!
Osram House
This building is the former headquarters of the Osram company. It was among the first structures to be built using the shock concrete method. To clarify, shock concrete is a technique to remove water, thereby making the concrete even stronger. The architect recognized the endless possibilities for creating spectacular buildings using this innovative technique but opted for a more restrained approach. The building was constructed during 1952-53.
Valhalsgade 4
Linoleum House
This quite anonymous house was built in 1931and Its name comes from the resemblance to the linoleum flooring of the time. However the architect´s inspiration was found in the venetian style.
Åboulevard 84-86
The Balloon Hangar
Away by Islands Brygge you will find this strange building with a very large gate. Nowdays it is used as a riding hall, but was built by the military back in 1917 to store large balloons.
Artillerivej 73
Zeppelinerhallen
Originally from Germany, this building has an interesting history. Following WWI, restrictions were imposed on arms production; consequently, the hall was disassembled and shipped to Denmark. Over time, the facade has been altered to better meet contemporary requirements, giving the building a more modern appearance.
Islands Brygge 55
Culture Tower on Knippels Bridge
The tower is a distinctive and relatively unknown cultural café. Inside the tower, you can enjoy coffee, savor healthy food, explore exhibitions, and attend lectures. Occasionally, live music performances take place, all accompanied by a spectacular 360-degree view of the canal. Constructed in 1937, the tower has never before been open to the public on a regular basis.
Why not get some updated info at their website.
Update: According to their website they are no longer in business.
Knippelsbro 2
Onkel Toms Hytte
This house has an intriguing history. According to rumors, the house was temporarily situated at the Tivoli Gardens in 1905 during a colonial exhibition. Allegedly, two children from the Danish West Indies were housed within and made accessible for public viewing. And due to its unique, narrow shape—only 3 meters wide—the house reportedly swayed in strong winds!
By the way, here you can read about one of the children’s fates.
Bjerregårdsvej 15
The round houseboat at Kalvebod Brygge
A beautiful example of a spectacular house on water. And its exclusive location among modern buildings makes it even more interesting.
Kalvebod Brygge
The Yellow Palace
This is far more than just a another yellow palace. In fact, it is financed by the slave trade. The palace was built in 1764-67 by the slave trader Frederik Bargum. And like the other colonial powers, he bought slaves from the Africa inland and shipped them to the West Indies, where they were sold to the sugar plantations on all the Caribbean islands.
Amaliegade 18
The floating church
In Sydhavn there is a rather unusual houseboat. Actually it is a church anchored in the canal. And churchgoers have to walk across the gangway when mass is called. So we have to hope there aren’t too big waves that day.
By the way, You can learn more about Sydhavn here.
Abel Nobels Bro, Sydhavn
The house with a tree through the roof
Over at christiania there is this strange house. So aware of the tree’s inner power has probably led the homeowner to let it live on in harmony with man.
Christiania, the path along the water, south side, near Øresundsmiljøskolen
Østre Gasværk Teater
Formerly just Gasværket, a Danish theater housed in the closed Gasværk on Østerbro in Copenhagen. The theater hall is located in the round brick shell, which housed the old gas tank until 1979, and is one of Copenhagen’s most magnificent theater rooms.
Nyborggade 17
Konsistoriehuset
This house is one of the oldest preserved buildings in Copenhagen – perhaps even the oldest. In fact, it is dated back to around 1420. The Konsistoriehuset escaped unscathed through both the Copenhagen fire in 1728 and the English bombardment in 1807. Nowadays, the building is used as a meeting room for the board of the University of Copenhagen.
To see the house you have to go through the big gate at Frue Plads. The gate is open on weekdays.
University of Copenhagen, Frue Plads
The petrol station in Skovshoved
At Skodshoved Harbor north of Copenhagen there is a unique petrol station. In fact, It was built in 1936 in the Funkis style according to drawings by Arne Jacobsen.
It still serves its purpose with petrol sales, but inside the building ice cream and burgers are served. The station was renovated back in 2002.
Kystvejen 24
The buildings with the unusual chimneys
Just outside Copenhagen you will find an abandoned airbase. Scattered in nature just close to the runway, you can’t miss several strange, massive concrete buildings with really odd chimneys. Indeed, they are actually hangars for storing F-16 warplanes. And still the buildings are in very good condition.
You can get here via S-train from the city (Måløv Station).
Værløse Air Base, Sandet 91
The red house
Artist Thomas Dambo (also known for his large wooden trolls) and a number of volunteers created this house together in a few days. It is made entirely of recycled material from the nearby recycling station.
The house can be used freely and there is both a barbecue area and a pizza oven available.
Borgervænget Genbrugsstation
The smallest house in Copenhagen
This is said to be Copenhagen’s smallest house. And strangely enough, there is actually nothing more exciting than that to tell about it. Because usually when it comes to older buildings, there is usually some interesting anecdote or maybe a celebrity who lived here back in the day, but no, not in this little yellow house.
Sølvgade 32
Metropol Building
The Metropol building is a rare example of Art Nouveau in Copenhagen. The building was formerly a cinema but ceased as such in 1980.
Fredriksberggade 16 (Strøget)
H/F Frederikshøj
An interesting area where small simple houses are really close together and their design breathes creativity and personal freedom. You navigate around the area thanks to a number of footpaths. The green well-grown hedges along the plot boundaries mean that the view to the houses is somewhat limited.
So take a bike ride out here and walk around and enjoy the tranquility and the alternative way of living.
Frederikshøj (just close to Sydhavn)
Carlsberg Lighthouse
In 1882, J.C. Jacobsen’s brewery Carlsberg got electric light, which happened at a time when it was not yet widespread in Copenhagen. As the brewery was located at the top of the high Valby Bakke, it was decided to combine the guard building with a real lighthouse. And it still stands here, despite the fact that the surrounding buildings are in many cases significantly higher. Today, an international art gallery is housed in the premises.
J.C. Jacobsens Gade, Pasteursvej
Løvenborg
Copenhagens probably most interesting house built in Art Nouveau style. In fact, the large windows facing the street were built, for the first time in Denmark, with the so-called curtain wall technology, where glass and window frames make up the load-bearing part. The country’s first elevator was also in the building.
Also, In 2003, it was awarded the “European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage”.
Vesterbrogade 34
The Glyptotheque on New Carlsberg
Most of us who visit Copenhagen find our way to Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.
But the first Glyptotek was in fact at a completely different place in the city. Yes, actually in a private villa where the brewery’s founder J.C. Jacobsen lived.
Valby Langgade 1
Nyborggade transformerstation
A transformer station from 1960. And this particular one is unique given that the materials used are significantly cheaper than most others. And precisely in the 60s, the prices for materials increased significantly, so it was with great curiosity that the architect here took on the task.
I still think it feels really exciting even though many years have passed!
Nyborggade 13
The house on the roof
I caught sight of this house just recently. And the fact that I haven’t seen it before is probably due to its location. And it’s not very big either, only 60 square meters in total. However the view from that height must be just outstanding.
The corner of Gl. Kongevej and Tullinsgade
Brumleby
In response to the cholera epidemic of 1853, the medical association raised private funds to bring about change. Their aim was to construct healthy and affordable housing for the working class. Consequently, upon completion of the construction work, Brumleby offered 550 apartments, providing shelter for approximately 2,500 people.
In the 1960s, the municipality attempted to replace the buildings; however, their efforts were met with strong protests.
Read more about this unique housing project here.
Brumleby 1-228
Favnbrændehuset
The house in the picture is a modern version of the former building that stood here since 1799. Really, firewood was piled up and formed the frame of a house.
The space could be used for storage and a gazebo.
Søndermarken
The floating playground
Not far from Christianina is this somewhat unusual playground. Yes, due to lack of space, they have simply placed it high between two buildings!
Prinsessegade 76
CPH Village Nørrebro
This one is quite cool. Its a residential complex right next to the railway, built from various modules. And its execution is imaginative to say the least. Students live here, well at least until they turn 30.
Banevingen 20
The old archive
And what could this be? Well, an old archive building from the 60s with characteristic inward-sloping and closed facades covered with black slate. The building is said to be empty now, so one wonders how long it will remain. Designed by Eva and Nils Koppel.
Hiort Lorenzens Gade
Vestersøhus
Kay Fisker and C.F. Møller designed Vestersøhus and it was was completed in 1939 and is considered a masterpiece of Danish functionalism. In fact, its distinctive balcony and bay window design has served as a model for later Danish residential architecture.
Notably, Vestersøhus is an important part of Denmark’s architectural history, having been listed as a protected building since 1994. Interestingly, the building’s design was actually inspired by the ocean liner SS Normandie, as the architects were influenced by the ship’s streamlined, modern design.
Vester Søgade
Rødovre kommunebibliotek
Another of Arne Jacobsen’s masterpieces. And this time a library that has no windows to the outside! But on the inside, even more light comes in via open courtyards and creates a really good atmosphere. And also interiors and coloring are jacobson’s own. So if you are into Danish design, this strange building is a must visit.
Rødovre Parkvej 140
Avedøre Flyveplads
Just south of Copenhagen, along the coast, is a really old airport. And it is difficult to avoid with its direct location next to the road to Köge.
And what is so special about this place? Yes, here you actually meet the world’s two oldest preserved air hangars for land-based aviation! They were initially three in number, but the one closest to the road was demolished.
And next to these you will find ten connected buildings from 1943, which was built by the German army, for testing engines for bomber flights (no, they were not soundproof and here the engines were run for 24 hours!).
The airport was established in 1917 on a military exercise site.
Gammel Køge Landevej 580
Køge Nord
A train station probably can’t get more designed than this! Like a long tube, the station stretches over a number of tracks and forms an impressive building. Take the train from the city and visit this impressive construction on the outskirts of Copenhagen.
Nordstjernen 3
Koncerthuset, Concert Hall
with its location in northern Ørestad, this concert hall is an attraction both on the outside and inside.
The building has been likened to a meteor and is surrounded by blue, transparent sides.
As for concerts, the sound is exceptionally good.
The building was completed in 2009.
Ørestads Blvd. 13
Morten Farums gård
The fine houses in the area were to be built with foundation walls, but in the backyards it was allowed to be built with more traditional techniques. And this particular house is an exciting example that is impressive to take part in.
There is a sign with the house out on the street and then you have to go through a gate to see it.
Amaliegade 21
Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal
The former main building at CPH Airport was built in the late1930s after drawings by Vilhelm Lauritzen. And then it was designed according to functionalism and indeed one of the most important in Danish architecture from that time.
Over time, the area expanded and the old building was displaced. But at the end of the 90s, the entire building was moved after a major effort. Now it is still in the area but has been given a much better place. And it is also completely renovated.
Vilhelm Lauritzens Alle 1
The torpedo boat plant
Torpedo boats were handled here, but over time the need diminished. Housing was all the more in demand, so the building was rebuilt for new purposes.
Gallonsvej 3
