Valdemar's Castle
Location: Tåsinge, Denmark
Client: Baron Niels Iuel-Brockdorff
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Hanne Bruun Møller, Malin Blomqvist
Design phase: 2004
Area: 2 ha.
Funded by the Realdania Foundation
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Mølleparken in Århus (the Mill Park)
Valdemar’s Castle on Tåsinge is one of Denmark’s best preserved baroque country house estates, and the large courtyard is one of the most beautiful of its kind in the country. In the centre of the courtyard is a large pool that reflects the buildings and trees, and not least the movement of the clouds in the sky. Established in the eighteenth century it is typical of the interest of the period in change and play with the senses, e.g. through reflections.
Other characteristic forms of the18 th century can be found around the palace. In front of the main building is a modern version of the topiary parterre beds of the baroque, whilst the 18 th century rocaille form is the inspiration for the forms that make up the transition between the park lawns and the surrounding landscape.
SLA’s approach to the preservation of these fine grounds is marked by a very special attitude to conservation. SLA does not think that conservation is about keeping everything in its original state. How do you conserve something whose nature plays on change? The project thus becomes an optimisation of the courtyard’s special character. The effect of the central, symmetrical reflecting pool is strengthened by building a new pool in black basalt. The pool is only two centimetres deep, which produces the best reflective effect, which is precisely the most prized of the baroque characteristics.
The shallowness makes it possible to walk in the pool, just as on special occasions it can be quickly emptied of water and the surface used for other purposes.
