Copenhagen’s most exciting and dynamic district.
A ghetto for the wealthy.
There are many opinions about Nordhavn, but from a visual perspective, Nordhavn is a breath of fresh air over the old city and significantly different from other neighborhoods in Copenhagen. Nordhavn is an interesting and complex area that has undergone major changes over recent decades. The architecture reflects a range of trends and ideas that characterize modern urban development. I recently visited Stockholm, which has similar rapidly developing urban areas that most of all resemble living labs for future city life or showrooms for architects’ wildest dreams.
A clear characteristic of the architecture in Nordhavn is the mixed use of buildings and urban spaces. There are residences, offices, shops, and recreational areas, creating variation in the urban landscape. Architecturally, the buildings range from tall, modern towers to lower, more traditional structures. This variation contributes to a dynamic skyline but also gives a sense of unevenness. The district feels green in many places with plants on building walls, but the extensive use of concrete and steel also gives a cool and somewhat unforgiving impression. The public spaces in Nordhavn bring life to the area. Harbor promenades with bathing facilities, squares, and parks invite outdoor activities and social interaction.
A special aspect of Nordhavn is its history as a former industrial area. The old warehouses and docks have been renovated and transformed into modern facilities, creating a clear contrast between old and new. This reuse of existing structures gives the area a unique character and serves as a reminder of the economic and social changes that have taken place.
Nordhavn is an area that is still under development. The images below may give the impression that the district is complete and fully built, but the reality is that large parts of Nordhavn are still a construction site with busy cranes swinging back and forth. On this summer day, as I wandered around the district with my camera, I got the sense of a young neighborhood still shaping its identity; like a boundary-pushing teenager who, with its defiant spirit, breaks conventional limits and also manages to make the public raise their eyebrows.
Click to see the large images here.
