The Arch

How can we transform and expand square meters in a dense city with scarce development sites while also preserving our iconic architectural legacy?

The transformation of one of Copenhagen’s most iconic modernist buildings presents an approach that respects cultural heritage and architectural excellence while unlocking new potential through a forward-thinking expansion and transformation.

The Arch, situated among both historic and contemporary landmarks in central Copenhagen, offers a compelling answer. Renowned for its gracefully arched structure spanning the street below, The Arch holds a distinctive place in the city’s urban fabric.

Well-proportioned facades, outward-facing ground floors, long horizontal window strips, and its iconic interior arches are part of the elements that shape the building's historical DNA. Preserving and amplifying these characteristics are key aspects of an internal and external reorganization of the building mass.

At street level, the existing placement has a compelling potential to activate the city through appealing retail and restaurant spaces, breathing new life into the urban icon. In this transformation, ground-floor signage and awnings are removed, revealing the high storefront windows to create a cleaner, more refined facade that enhances the street’s aesthetic and openness.

The roamap identify a structural redundancy in the old building, potentially crowning it with up to three new floors and a total of 5.800 m2, and extending its height to match its dynamic city context. The assessment is based on structural parametric calculations, and offering a substantial increase in built square meters, while integrating seamlessly with the existing structure and keeping disturbance of existing tenants to a minimum.

The expansion creates the potential for new, flexible, and varied rooms within a structurally existing framework. This allows for a contrasting interior organization, where future tenants can access large spaces with more natural light and inspiring views of central Copenhagen.

The Arch pushes for a positive shift into the development of our cities: A narrative where the city's way forward is steered through an enriched encounter between modernization and adaptation. A timeless weave where existing characteristics are both enhanced and embraced while introducing new elements that foster a diverse and renewed urban experience.

Modernizing The Arch requires a thoughtful balance between respecting its architectural heritage and integrating contemporary elements to meet the evolving needs of the city. Transformation does not focus solely on architectural addition but also on the transformation of the urban context, seeking new potential to enhance both public and private visitor appeal.

As The Arch undergoes its transformation, it aspires to fulfill its vibrant and diverse experience through its arches, and over time becoming a revamped icon that addresses the complexity of city densification in the urban tapestry of Copenhagen.