Activating Architecture in Urban Spaces

48
The Inner City Square
When the built environment no longer meets our needs, it
must be adapted to new forms of use. In order to promote
use of the square and a sense of ownership in the local
community, the adaptation process can incorporate existing
local initiatives and projects. It can be beneficial to draw
upon local knowledge of place, users and residents in
the project development process. Involving residents and
citizens from the very beginning generates a sense of local
project ownership.
Matrikel No. 8, Copenhagen
compartmentalisation
multiple uses topography
The square on Nansensgade is next to ‘Kulturhuset
Indre By’, a community centre administered by the City
of Copenhagen. The square is divided into three parts: a
sunken activity area bordered by a jagged white concrete
landscape on one side and a more traditional cobblestone
square on the other side.
The sunken area has basketball hoops and street soccer
goals, but can also accommodate other activities like
roller hockey. On the south side, the square is bordered
by wide concrete steps with mobile wooden slats for
seating.
The square constitutes a challenging landscape for younger children, who run and ride their bicycles through the pointed shapes.
Matrikel No. 8, square by Kulturhus Indre By, 2008, Copenhagen. 1:1 Landskab and Morgen Arkitektkontor, Copenhagen
Photo: Rasmus B. Andersen.
flexible
design
social meeting
place