Over the past five years, several institutions have highlighted the rise of a new paradigm in Danish architecture. The Utzon Center has coined it “Super Danish,” while Dagbladet Information refers to it as “a new subtlety in architecture.” At CAFx, we have proposed the concept of an ecological turn—a shift towards holism, relational thinking, integration, and frugality. But how should we place this paradigm within the broader historical context, and what challenges lie ahead?
In this podcast episode, we explore these questions with Kristoffer Lindhardt Weiss, a renowned Danish architecture critic, writer, and CEO of Danish Architectural Press, and Anne Beim, Head of CINARK (Centre for Industrial Architecture) at the Danish School of Architecture.
Through this conversation, we ask: What are we leaving behind, and where is Danish architecture headed? We discuss key topics such as:
- The risks posed by boredom and the will to be interesting
- The fate of the resurgence of craftsmanship in modern architecture
- Whether generational differences influence reactions to shared architectural challenges
This episode serves as the introduction to a 10-part podcast series. Throughout the series, we will invite 10 architectural studios to challenge 10 core dogmas of the current architectural consensus in Denmark.
10 Dogmas is produced by Copenhagen Architecture Festival and presented in collaboration with VELUX and their Build for Life initiative, which reconnects people and the planet through healthier, more sustainable buildings.
Further Reading
The discussion references two essential books for understanding recent shifts in Danish architecture:
- Økologi og Arkitektonisk Kvalitet by Anne Beim
- Den Ny Bølge i Dansk Arkitektur by Kristoffer Lindhardt Weiss
Both works provide invaluable insight into the tectonic movements shaping contemporary Danish architectural history. These books are highly recommended and can be accessed through the library system at bibliotek.dk
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