Did Philip de Lange ever imagine his home would become a hidden gem? Philip de Langes Hus, tucked away behind a school, stands as a testament to his architectural prowess. This Rococo-style residence at Prinsessegade 54 in Christianshavn, Copenhagen, has a story to tell. Philip de Lange, a prominent Dutch-Danish architect, built this house in the 1750s. He didn’t just build a home. He also established a nitrary on the grounds. Niter, a key ingredient in gunpowder, was extracted from soil enriched with, well, let’s just say “organic materials.” This venture, however, was short-lived. Lange closed the nitrary after a few years but continued to live in Philip de Langes Hus until his death in 1766. The house then saw a series of transformations. It became a cotton factory, then part of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory. Even a renowned scientist, Georg Forchhammer, resided within its walls while heading the factory’s dye laboratory. Eventually, Philip de Langes Hus became part of Prinsessegade School. A new school building was erected in front, effectively hiding the historic house from view. Today, it serves the school’s after-school programs. Though hidden, Philip de Langes Hus continues his legacy, a silent witness to centuries of change.
Galleri KANT
Founded in 2009 by Kerry Harm Nielsen and Anna Gram Sørensen Galleri KANT is more than just a gallery. It’s