Købmagergade

Location: Købmagergade
Client: Municipality of Copenhagen
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Flemming Rafn Thomsen, Helene Koch, Martin Søberg, Daniel Carlsen, Katrine Sandstrøm, Salka Kudsk, Ulla Hornsyld, Sofie Kjærsgaard Jørgensen, Lene Dammand Lund, Zeng Jianzhou
Collaborators: Bruce Mau Design, 2+1 Idébureau, Lemming & Eriksson
Design phase: 2008

Kultorvet should be more than just a transit zone. It should also be a zone with room for experi-ences. We want to place a raised platform, which will appear as a focus on the square and give a subtle influence of the experien-ce of moving across Kultorvet. Visually the platform will be an eye catcher, as it is supplied with nozzles, which send out a cloud of water illuminated i different colors. The amount of water is automatically adjusted depen-ding on the weather, and the catching and recycling of rainwa-ter can enter in a sustainable way into the water elements and for watering the trees of the a-rea. The platform can be used as a tribune or work as space for sitting during the showing of open air films on the facade of Knud Højgaards House.

We want to systematize Købma-gergade by giving everything it's right place. The best way of crea-ting this logic is by placing a square grid on the urban plan. This grid works as a bookcase - it creates order, but can at the same time contain everything under the sun. The squares meassuring 10x10 metres will appear as a patchwork connected by light nuances. A network with-out interfering passages, which can become the setting for inter-action for the users of Købma-gergade - a place where logic meets magic.

Købmagergade's common floor is a new, quite bright surface. The bright floor does not absor-be heat, and will therefore not contribute to the global heating, contrary to the traditional dark surface. At the same time the bright floor signals something completely new and clean.

The urban space around Trinita-tis should not compete with Run-detårn and Regensen's unique architecture, but should appear as simple as possible. The light surface collects and emphasizes the historical buildings, so that both tourists and citizens of Co-penhagen can enjoy the beauti-ful details and patina of the fa-cades. The crossing between Kry-stalgade and Købmagergade is an important anchoring place, which in a careful and subtle way is accentuated with diodes in the surface. References to the histo-rical events or characters associ-ated with the place - Tycho Brahe eg. - can also be integrated in the urban space. The sunny part of the eastern side of the church is a gateway to Købmagergade from the east side, and offers the opportunity to make a stop and to recreational activities.

Hauser Plads should become more well-known. The square should be an oasis in the city and offer a peaceful place to go to after shopping, in the lunch break or just for pleasure. And new recreational furniture secure room for bringing the children. Hauser Plads will be connected directly to Købmagergade, with-out any disturbing edges and crossings. The new openness will make more people aware of the restaurant- and culture life alrea-dy flourishing at the square. This should be a place with room for living life in the middle of the ci-ty.