A serpent of brick and dreams. That’s what Bispebjerg Bakke is often called. We’re standing before an apartment complex in Copenhagen’s Bispebjerg district. It is more than just a place to live. It’s a statement.
Bispebjerg Bakke was born from an idea in 1997. Klaus Bonde Larsen and Bjørn Nørgaard wanted to show that quality buildings could compete with industrial construction. Both were part of the Committee for the Protection of Traditional Craftsmanship.
Bjørn Nørgaard was a leading Danish sculptor. He teamed up with Boldsen & Holm, an architectural practice. Nørgaard drew inspiration from music. He molded clay to create the first models. The Realdania foundation supported the project. They saw the unusual collaboration between artist and architect.
The original plan focused on traditional craftsmanship. But, some changes occurred along the way. NCC was hired. Concrete sections were added. Construction began in 2004. Bispebjerg Bakke was completed in 2006.
Nørgaard’s musical inspiration is clear in the design. Two buildings wind down the site like a serpent. The buildings rise and fall between three and eight stories. Bispebjerg Bakke contains 135 apartments.
High quality materials define the complex. Full brick walls feature red and yellow coal-burned bricks. This refers to Nørrebro’s traditional apartment blocks. Red bricks faced the street. Yellow bricks faced the courtyard. Red and yellow glazed Chinese tiles decorate balconies and entrance halls. Windows combine wood and aluminum. Roofs use zinc or copper.
Bispebjerg Bakke contains rental apartments. Originally, it was thought that older, well-off tenants would move here. But, many families with young children live here now. Some have adjusted the open-plan apartments. They made them more suitable for family living. The complex also has two playgrounds.
The road, Bispebjerg Bakke, was part of Bispebjergvej until 1958. It served as access to Bispebjerg Hospital. The area was once used by Copenhagen Municipality’s gardening department. Realea invested in the project. Their goal was to invest in restoration and new construction. Nørgaard created two snake-shaped houses. They are sculptures and buildings.
Traditional materials were used. These included brick and tile. Concrete was avoided if possible. Both red and yellow bricks were used. Chinese ceramic stones decorate balconies and doors. Through-going gates divide the serpent into 11 smaller units. They remain connected. The gates were inspired by the North-West neighborhood.
The green spaces were designed by Knud W. Ø Larsen. Bjørn Nørgaard created sculptures in 2007-2008. They are called “Functional sculptural element”. The sculptures are decorations. They also serve as places to sit or play.
Karens Hus is in the western part of Bispebjerg Bakke. It was originally a kiosk and flower shop for hospital visitors. Today, Karens Hus is a cultural center.
In 1997, Bjørn Nørgaard and Klaus Bonde Larsen had a vision. They wanted a different housing project. In December 2006, the first residents moved in. The building used hand-picked materials and craftsmanship. The book about the project reveals a process merging art and architecture.
Lean Construction was used during construction. Despite the complicated design, the project was efficient. It was cheaper than expected. The copper roof and curved facades were challenging. But, the craftsmanship overcame these.
Bispebjerg Bakke aimed to harmonize with the surroundings. Nørgaard quoted, “Now we are going to build a house that the industry can’t build”. The copper roof connects the 135 apartments. The curved facades create unique spaces. Everything was custom-made.
Partnerships enabled contractors to contribute their skills. This optimized the building process. The project took two years. It involved 28 bricklayers at its peak.
The transformation of Nørgaard’s sculpture into a building was a challenge. The facades curve. The roof rises from four to seven floors. The engineers were initially skeptical. But, they found solutions. Concrete elements were custom-made. Bricklayer Kim Cordsen simplified the brickwork. He reduced the number of different bricks needed. Lifts replaced scaffolding. This saved time. The curved roof used special wooden cassettes.
Bispebjerg Bakke stands as a testament to artistic vision. It is also a great collaboration and innovative construction techniques. It’s a place where art and life intertwine. The building inspires those who pass by.