AIA's Committee on Design Danish Modern: Then And Now
Copenhagen, Denmark
Overview
Scandinavian design calls to mind the iconic images of Poul Henningsen’s Artichoke ceiling lamp for Louis Poulsen or Arne Jacobsen’s expansive lobby of the SAS Royal Hotel with its wedge of Swan chairs. Any architect who has ever had a client ask for “clean lines” can claim a personal connection to Danish Modern design. Join your architectural colleagues and learn about the influence and impact of Danish design from the mid-20th century to the dramatic architecture of today. Seminar topics will include globalization, sustainability, preservation of Modernism, urban new town growth, and new materials.
Tentative Program
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Theme: Introduction to Copenhagen
For a thousand years water has defined Copenhagen, which derives its name from “merchant’s harbor.” What better way to be introduced to this wonderful city than by boat? We will start at the Danish Architecture Center (DAC), which is located in an old warehouse across the water from the Admiral Hotel. After viewing the exhibition and introductory remarks, we will be embark on a boat tour that will be led by Kent Martinussen, CEO of the Danish Architecture Center, our partner in developing the Copenhagen conference. Kent will show us the heart of the old city as well as the exciting new architecture being created in previously underutilized industrial zones. This orientation will help you keep your bearings for the rest of your stay.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Theme: Danish Modernism (Guides: Pia Rost Rasmussen, Dorte Augustenborg, Dorte Friis, Andreas Spinner)
After an introductory lecture in the 17th Century Charlottenborg Palace, we will divide up into groups and take an in-depth walking tour of wonderful Copenhagen, highlighting several centuries of architecture and design from the seventeenth century of Christian IV to the twentieth century of Arne Jacobsen. We will conclude the evening getting to know our Danish architect hosts by dining in small groups in their offices.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Theme: Historical Overview of the City and Its Development (Guides: Anette Sorenson, Ingelise I. Andersson, Dorte Augustenborg)
We will again start at Charlottenborg with an introductory lecture before embarking on a bus tour to see the highlights of Danish Modernism in the Copenhagen area, which will include works by Arne Jacobsen, Jørn Utzon and others. We will also make a special stop at the world famous art museum, Louisiana, by Wohlert & Bo , as well as the World Heritage site, Kronborg Castle. The evening will end with a candlelit dinner hosted by the famous furniture maker Fritz Hansen at its state of the art facility.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Theme: Current Danish Developments (Guides: Christian Hanak, Rune Christiansen, Dorte Augustenborg)
We will explore the exciting new work being done by the new generation of Danish architects. A few minutes' ride on the brand new Metro will deliver us to Ørestad, a whole new section of the city being built at the edge of the nineteenth-century city. We will also visit the architecture school of the Royal Academy and get a behind the scenes tour of the new Royal Opera House by Henning Larsen, HFAIA. The evening will conclude with a tour and dinner at d Royal Danish Playhouse, just completed in February 2008, by Lundgaard & Tranberg.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Theme: Dialogue with Danish Peers
We will begin the day exploring current issues of architecture in small workshops with our Danish architect colleagues. In groups of fifteen to twenty, we will delve deep into some of the common issues facing architects in the U.S. and Denmark today. This will be a unique opportunity to share experiences in an international setting. The discussions of the morning will continue over a lunch hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the afternoon, participants may choose to visit the Danish Design center, or explore Denmark’s ancient roots by visiting the reconstructed Iron Age village of Lejre, the medieval Roskilde Cathedral (a world Heritage site) and the Viking Ship Museum.
(please note: you must choose a preference for the workshop. Descriptions are available as part of the checklist for the workshops. You must also select your preference for the afternoon activities of either the Viking Tour, or the Danish Design Center.)
The entire group will gather again for a closing dinner celebration with some of our Danish architecture colleagues at the famous Tivoli Gardens in the heart of Copenhagen.
Please click here for descriptions of the workshop sessions. For more information, please visit the Committee on Design event webpage.
