New Visions of an Architectural Dialogue: Danish Domestic Landmarks and Nature

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperCommunication

In an era of necessary reflection on human-nature relationship and the role of architecture as a mediator means, some modern Danish buildings offer profound lessons for our own time. The internationally renowned post-war Danish domestic buildings built in the 50´s and early 60´s, left a leading legacy that has greatly influenced the domestic sphere and has further led the world in terms of good design and welfare. They are deeply inspired by the relationship between humans and nature mediated through the architectural space, and offer exemplary sensory experiences of the natural world by complex mechanisms, sometimes without visual contact or a tangible link to the natural surroundings.A range of facts lead them to this connection: 1. They show an ancestral respect for nature, rooted in a society that was based on agriculture for centuries. 2. They are linked to the principles of the artistic movement “Skønvirke”, led by Jensen Klint, who impressed “Danish architects of the third generation” an intimate relationship with architectural tradition and its own craft, a shared feeling for the landscape - formed of topography, materials and climate -, and an architecture begotten in part by Nature, her principles of order and growth. 3. Their protagonists - Jørn Utzon, Arne Jacobsen, Eva and Nils Koppel, Karen and Ebbe Clemmensen, Vilhelm Wohlert, Jørgen Bo, Erik Christian Sørensen and Halldor Gunnløgsson and so on - were guided by Kay Fisker and Steen Eiler Rasmussen towards the study of international architecture as an important source of inspiration, outstanding Japanese, American and Anglo-Saxon architecture which is linked to Nature. I present a piece of my ambitious research, showing how this fascinating dialogue takes place in some outstanding case-studies and through what means. Landscape, architectural and biophilic design approaches are integrated through the analysis of different parameters at diverse design scales. In addition, I foster some “Nature-Inclusive” architectural design strategies from these architectural Danish landmarks, to inform us of a sustainable contemporary design practice and therefore, to transform our reality into a better life.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date21 Jul 2022
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jul 2022
EventEscandinavia - An Architectural Dialogue between Spain and Denmark - Architecture School of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
Duration: 21 Apr 202223 Apr 2022
https://aarch.dk/escandinavia-symposium-programme/

Conference

ConferenceEscandinavia - An Architectural Dialogue between Spain and Denmark
LocationArchitecture School of Aarhus
CountryDenmark
CityAarhus
Period21/04/202223/04/2022
Internet address

Bibliographical note

Chapter in The Nordic and Spain. An Architectural Dialogue. International Conference presented in “The Escandinavia Symposium. An Architectural Dialogue between Denmark and Spain“ hosted by Aarhus School of Architecture, compilers Ahrenkiel, A., Ruiz Allen, N., Lopez Arraiza, S., The Architectural Publisher B

    Research areas

  • Architecture, Nature Restoration, Denmark, Danish architectural heritage, Danish Architecture, Architectural Design, Sustainability, post-war housing, Biophilic Design

ID: 379997720