DAC Copenhagen’s Jen Masengarb on City’s Built Heritage
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“A Walk Through Time,” a new Copenhagen walking tour that celebrates 350 years of Danish design and architecture, gives visitors an inspiring lesson on the city’s architectural history from the 17th century onward. Visitors meet at BLOX, a modern fortreDAC Copenhagen’s Jen Masengarb on City’s Built Heritage
“A Walk Through Time,” a new Copenhagen walking tour that celebrates 350 years of Danish design and architecture, gives visitors an inspiring lesson on the city’s architectural history from the 17th century onward. Visitors meet at BLOX, a modern fortress of geometric glass asymmetrically stacked along Copenhagen’s waterfront that the sponsor of the tour, the Danish Architecture Center (DAC), calls home. In a recent interview with BLOUIN ARTINFO, Jen Masengarb, a senior project manager for DAC, discussed the curatorial decisions that went into this ambitious tour, her favorite landmarks, and other cultural experiences that Copenhagen has to offer.Can you give us an overview of what the tour, “A Walk Through Time,” consists of? “A Walk Through Time: Explore Copenhagen’s Architecture” was designed especially with the international visitor in mind and provides a perfect introduction for understanding the city.In the 75-minute daily tour we explore how Denmark has both imported and exported design across the last five centuries. Among other stops, we visit the brightly colored buildings of 17th-century Nyhavn (New Harbor), elegant mid-20th century designs by Arne Jacobson and other Danish modernists, and the city’s newest 21st-century landmark — BLOX— home of Danish Architecture Center.Three and a half centuries is a huge time span to cover. What was the selection process like when choosing what to feature in this architectural tour? We had long, spirited debates in choosing the buildings among our guides! But we also wanted to keep the tour to a compact route — that saw the widest variety of architecture — and also started and ended at our headquarters. There are certainly many landmark buildings throughout the city, but we’ve chosen a mix of both iconic spaces and hidden treasures — all within a short walk of DAC.What are some of your favorite highlights? I enjoy the mix of so many different time periods in one compact tour. That’s the highlight for me: Being able to see how these diverse buildings are each a reflection of what was happening in Denmark at that time. Each building helps us understand how everything — from world events, technology, people, materials, economics, and what’s fashionable — impacts the choices designers make in every era. Looking across five different centuries provides a distinctive lens on this and it has proven to be a popular approach with our visitors.Are there any hidden gems this tour visits that even natives of Copenhagen are unaware of? The National Bank of Denmark was designed by one of the country’s most well-known architects and designers. Copenhagen natives likely know this building, but often only from its austere and solemn exterior. Many have never been inside. It has been fun to hear the small gasps of surprise from a few locals and visitors alike as they enter the lobby with us — an incredibly distinctive and elegant Mid-Century Modern space.Do you have a favorite time period for Danish architecture? A tough question! The Mid-Century Modernism, which is so well-recognized in Denmark, is a favorite — but not only for aesthetic reasons. When you examine the relationship between Denmark’s cultural values and the choices designers are making, it becomes even more interesting — especially for international visitors. Quality of life and good design for everyone, is at the heart of Danish architecture and this period exemplifies that.What would you say is the most unique piece of architecture in Copenhagen? We’re somewhat biased, but BLOX — the new home of Danish Architecture Center — is one of the most unique contemporary buildings in Copenhagen. Designed by the architecture firm OMA and completed this May, the building contains a unique mix of functions and spaces — galleries, education, offices, retail, fitness, restaurant, and residential. A city within the city. The building crosses under and over a main road to connect the old city to the harbor front.What’s the most overrated piece of architecture in Copenhagen? I think if you asked 100 Copenhagen residents this question, you may get 100 different answers! But that’s the beauty of this architectural city we inhabit. A place or space that resonates with one person can simply fall flat for another. In recent years, we’ve seen a growing awareness among architects that the urban spaces between and around buildings matter a great deal. For me, I think those buildings that don’t “talk” to their neighbors and the space around them in some way, are often overrated.What are some restaurants you would recommend for fueling up before a 75-minute walking tour? Our own DAC Cafe serves delicious meals and treats and provides stunning views of the city — both on the harbor terrace and the city terrace. Outside of DAC, the Copenhagen neighborhood of Refshaleoen is now home to Reffen — an eclectic mix of breweries and international street food vendors. The area was once the city’s shipyard and is an industrial area on the edge of massive change. You can easily hop on the harbor ferry bus (with your Metro/bus transit pass) and travel between Refshaleoen and the dock at DAC’s front door in about 20 minutes. What bar would you recommend for unwinding after the tour? Several of us at DAC enjoy Ved Stranden 10. It’s a lovely wine bar and shop located on the eastern side of the canal, which loops around Christiansborg Palace — a beautiful setting from which to watch a historic square and lively intersection at the edge of the old city.Are there architectural sites near Copenhagen that you would recommend for a day trip? Outside of central Copenhagen you’ll find Bagsvaerd Church — a true treasure designed by the Danish architect Jorn Utzon, most well-known for the Sydney Opera House. Designed in 1978, this late Modernist concrete building contains an exceptional interior where Utzon uses light and materials to create an incredible worship space. It’s worth the trip.(Note: 2018 is the celebration of Utozn’s 100th birthday. From November 9, 2018 — March 3, 2019, the Danish Architecture Center will be hosting a special exhibition: “Utzon, Horisont.”)Are there other essential cultural offerings that you would recommend?Copenhagen is filled with amazing summer festivals as we try to soak up the sun and long evenings. The Copenhagen Opera Festival just wrapped up — and we’re looking forward to two the Copenhagen Cooking and Food Festival.http://www.blouinartinfo.comFounder: Louise Blouin p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Georgia; color: #d81e00} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 12.8px Georgia; color: #1155cc} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 32.0px Arial; color: #232323; min-height: 37.0px} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 32.0px Arial; color: #232323} span.s1 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; background-color: #ffffff} span.s3 {font-kerning: none; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff} span.s4 {font-kerning: none} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 10.0px Times} span.s1 {letter-spacing: -0.2px} Read more