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Dronningegården

Coordinates:55°41′4″N12°35′3″E/ 55.68444°N 12.58417°E/55.68444; 12.58417
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Dronningegården
The west side along Adelgade
Map
General information
Architectural styleNordic Functionalism
LocationCopenhagen
CountryDenmark
Construction started1943
Completed1958
Design and construction
Architect(s)Kay Fisker,C. F. Møller,Svenn Eske Kristensen

Dronningegårdenis aModernistresidential complex in centralCopenhagen,Denmark,consisting of four L-shaped buildings defining an urban space around the intersection of Adelgade andDronningens Tværgade.Designed byKay Fiskerin collaboration withC. F. MøllerandSvenn Eske Kristensen,it was built between 1943 and 1958, during the transition from Traditionalism to Modernism, as a notable example ofNordic Functionalism.[1]

History

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Dronningegården was built as the result of one of the first and largest condemnation initiatives in Copenhagen. The area aroundBorgergadeand Adelgade had escaped both theGreat Fires of 1728and1795but the old houses, many of which dated from the late 17th or 18th century had fallen into disrepair and their gardens and courtyards were built over, transforming the neighbourhood into the most notoriousslumin the city. In 1939 it was decided to renew the area. Demolition began in the early 1940s. Dronningegården was one of the residential projects which was planned in the area.

The two western corners were built during World War II, but the project was put on hold in 1943 and the eastern part was not completed until 15 years later.[2]

Architecture

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Dronningegården is characterised by aFunctionalistdesign that balances monumentality with local tradition. The four L-shaped buildings are 9 storeys tall and are built in red machine-moulded brick with detailing in yellow brick. Bricks are laid in theEnglish bondwith recessed joints. The west and east sides of the complex, which run parallel to Adelgade, are broken up by alternating gabled sections with open, recessed balconies, and inter-connecting sections decorated with cross motifs in yellow brick. The interior sides of balconies and entrances are clad in yellow brick.[citation needed]

The original intention was to build Dronningegården in yellow brick to resemble the buildings that had been demolished. However the design was shaped by the shortage of materials during the war and red brick was chosen instead.[3]The arches above the windows were chosen to minimize the need for cement and iron.[3]

Urban space

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The tall, homogeneous facades define the four sides of a central urban space. This arrangement was inspired from the Englishgarden squares.[3]

The use of gables on two sides of the complex serves to enhance Dronningens Tværgade as an axis. The concept with two intersecting axes bears testament to the planning of nearbyFrederiksstadenaround two axes, alongFrederiksgadeandAmaliegade,which intersect at the central plaza ofAmalienborg Palace.[4]

Dronningegården today

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The four buildings are individually known as Prinsessegården, Dronningegården, Kongegården and Christiansgården. They contain a total of 160 apartments.[5]Contrary to the original intentions, the central space is today mainly used for parking.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Dronningegården"(in Danish). Aarhus School of Architecture. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-03-25.Retrieved2011-09-30.
  2. ^"Dronningegården".Danish Architecture Centre.Retrieved2011-09-28.
  3. ^abc"Modernismens Huse"(PDF)(in Danish). Kulturarvsstyrelsen. p. 61. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2016-03-03.Retrieved2011-09-29.
  4. ^"Boligbyggeri & arkitektonisk kvalitet"(PDF)(in Danish). Københavns Kommune. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2011-11-13.Retrieved2011-09-30.
  5. ^"Dronningens Tværgade 37–45"(in Danish). indenforvoldene.dk.Retrieved2011-09-29.
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55°41′4″N12°35′3″E/ 55.68444°N 12.58417°E/55.68444; 12.58417