Here stands Egmont H. Petersens Kollegium, a place buzzing with stories. Let’s uncover some hidden chapters.
Egmont H. Petersens Kollegium isn’t just a dormitory. It is a vibrant hub for students in Copenhagen. The Kollegium, often simply called Egmont, houses 492 residents.
Picture this. It is 1957. The Kollegium has just been inaugurated. Architect Kaj Gottlob planned this building. He also planned the entire Universitetsparken. The Egmont H. Petersen Foundation donated funds for its construction. Until 1974, the foundation helped manage it. Now, it is self-governed. The residents’ rent covers the costs.
Did you know Egmont H. Petersens Kollegium used to be a hotel in the summer? From its opening until 1973, students moved out during the summer. American tourists filled the rooms. In 1957, it was Denmark’s largest hotel based on bed capacity. The profits from “Anders And & co.” which is Donald Duck in Danish, financed this venture.
The Kollegium consists of three buildings. They are named Gamle, Mellemste, and Nye. This translates to Old, Middle, and New. The names reflect the order they were built. Each building has eight floors. The ground floor in Mellemste houses the administration. Nye’s ground floor features a banquet hall. A nursery once sat on top of the Mellemste building.
Rooms here are designed for student life. Single rooms are around 11 square meters. Each hallway contains twenty to twenty-four rooms. Residents share a bathroom and toilet with a neighbor. But they each have their own washbasin. Rooms have internet access. There is a shared kitchen with cooking facilities on each floor.
Egmont H. Petersens Kollegium became famous in 1995. The youth program “Transit” on DR1 aired the series “Nye Anen”. It showed life in one of the Kollegium’s kitchens. Several famous Danes have called Egmont Kollegiet home.
Egmont strives to be more than just accommodation. It seeks to create a community. Common areas are central to this aim. Students gather in the hotel kitchen. They also meet in the fireplace lounge and café. The Kollegium hosts cultural and socio-political events.
So, as you stand before Egmont H. Petersens Kollegium, remember its history. From hotel to student haven, it has evolved. It remains a place of community, learning, and recreation.