This year ‘Vilhelm Lauritzen
Architects‘, a practice that has been defining and building Danish modernism and welfare architecture for a century, celebrates its centennial with a book and an exhibition devoted to their achievements. The book “100 Years of Danish Modern Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects” presents an original synthesis between manual, history and essay. Christian Bundegaard, a historian of ideas, recounts the development of Danish modernism and architecture in terms of welfare: in addition to the founder’s classic works, there is no shortage of recent projects such as the brand new (but already famous) ‘Tip of Nordø‘, a symbol of the rebirth of Copenhagen‘s docklands. The social purpose typical of a welfare state like Denmark is also expressed in the exhibition’s title “Our Architecture” at the ‘Danish Architecture Center’ in Copenhagen: the first person refers not to the office, but the people its work is
addressed to. The models, objects, interactive installations, interviews and concert videos present 60 projects by the office, between architecture and design. In pure modernist spirit, Lauritzen also designed the furnishings of his buildings: visitors can try the chairs, armchairs and benches designed for ‘Radiohuset’ and ‘Folkets Hus’, recently put into production by ‘Carl Hansen & Søn‘. At the exhibition, which runs until 9 April 2023, visitors can admire a giant model of the surprising ‘New North Zealand Hospital’ at Hillerød, designed with ‘Herzog & de Meuron’. The form of the building creates a dialogue between the exteriors and interiors (underground and above ground parts, corridors and gardens) responding to a precise functional criterion: all the people in the building (whether patients or staff) will be constantly and regularly exposed to nature and natural light as sources of physical and mental well-being, a practical example of putting beauty, welfare and people at the center of an architectural project.
Read more on VilhelmLauritzen.com
