2030 Bringing architecture to people through museum of architecture

Architects are not endowed with designing just buildings but with time, we are now building economies and megacities. This expanded role of architecture is becoming more and more evident with the passing century, where the profession found itself from making enclosures for functions to defining how the functions would be. The keywords to define the architecture, transformed from just Aesthetics and Order, to Efficient and Sustainable. And it's continuing to change.

As 2023 comes closer, these changing definitions are becoming more noticeable. Especially when we see this in the context of our education springing from the grassroots of architecture legends, to modern stalwarts of today. To braver design explorations and fewer revivals. To more diversity in design, with knowledge passed on to progressive countries. As architecture evolves these themes continuously shift with amazing trails behind. 

And this, in the context of Denmark, looks more real than ever.

Architecture in Denmark has come a long way. More than a thousand years ago, in the Viking age, military encampments were built in Denmark. These constructions, which are known through excavations, are remarkable for their circular ramparts. The architecture was then superseded by the era of exploring church architecture which explored innovations in wood and stone. A series of forts and marveling churches of the 16th century testify to these explorations. 

While the past already surpasses expectations, the advent of the known modern functionalist Danish architecture begins in the early half of the 20th Century. The likes of Aarhus City hall and SAS Radisson hotel are some reflections of this era. Ironically, the most famous example of Danish architecture is not in Denmark– it is Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia. And from that point onwards, the global contribution from Danish Architects is world known. 

While it's true that such iconic structures make places memorable, the capital of Denmark - Copenhagen - balances ties to the past and futuristic architectural marvels almost flawlessly. The city boasts of various venues of international stature and architecture pieces that fit in the book's most revered examples of modern built heritage. The city contributes a very people and outdoor-friendly experience - and aims high towards achieving carbon neutral status by 2025. 

And with such a diverse yet consistently progressive history, UNESCO and UIA have named Copenhagen as the World Capital of Architecture for 2023. As UNESCO, declares this significant title, they quote “Copenhagen provides a unique combination of culture, tolerance, global connectivity, well-functioning public transport, green spaces, and high-quality architecture.”

The secret of Copenhagen is open for the world to discover, and 2023 marks this special moment that has a chance to open it for the rest of the world. The competition brief here is to design an Athenaeum for Architecture at Copenhagen, that resonates with the evolving trends of world architecture. The word “Athenaeum” in the 21st century should be more than just a space for learning about architecture. This one-of-a-kind endeavor of Architecture for Architecture should disseminate the past and its links to the current architectural trends, which shall pave the way to the future of world architecture ideologies.

The users of this Athenaeum would not be just architects or from a certain educational background, but for people and creatives at large. The place is not dedicated just to the built environment, but to the architects of ideas and concepts that led to this place, inspiring more people to know about the hidden lines between architecture.

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals, and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

Martin Pool, Partner, Pool Leber Architekten, Germany

Shih-Fu Peng, Director, heneghan peng architects, Ireland

Nathalie Rozencwajg, Director, NAME Architecture, France

Cristina Verissimo, Office partner, CVDB Arquitectos, Lda, Portugal

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Some of the Best of competition projects are:

Winning Project: Atheneum of Architecture in Copenhagen

By: Kasia Krawczyk & Zuzanna Kłos

^{Fig: 1 Cover image}

Description: To think of the Atheneum of Architecture we need to define what architecture is and what is its purpose. As we think of architecture as space then maybe the most architectural gesture, highlighting the built space more than any volume, would be the lack of it. Maybe it would be a way to also show what we think is going to be a "style" of XXI century architecture.

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Runner Up: ATHENEUM

By: Sara Jurincic

^{Fig: 2 Section Plan}

Description: Architecture purely as a built space erected at a given plot is disappearing nowadays. We're not designing a building, but an experience. A space of exploration and involvement. We see Atheneum as a polygon for architectural sensations – an interactive organism through which we explore and examine diverse architectural tools and phenomena.

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People’s Choice: Ulviklende Kobling (Evolving Linkage)

By: Bahadır Altın, Sila Kutlu & Bilge Kösem

^{Fig: 3 Cover image}

Description: Ulviklende Kobling (Evolving Linkage) appears as a new public realm for the city by enhancing the connection between the sea, land, Copenhagen’s old, and the new cityscape. Located in a region where surroundings are a blend of contemporary and diachronic architecture, the Ulviklende Kobling creates a linkage between the past, present, and future.

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Editor’s Choice: THE KNOWLEDGE VAULT

By: Guillermo Biondo & Javier Cabello

^{Fig: 4 Site Plan and Diagram}

Description: Athenaeum- Free Learning Space It is proposed to consolidate through different forms and resources all these distributed at the different levels of the structure. Where it measures that it is growing. The learning is also releasing. The five ways of learning proposed are: Seeing, Experimenting, Listening, Watching, Studying.

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Editor’s Choice: ArcHarbour - Athenaeum of Architecture Copenhagen

By: Viktoria Vasileva

^{Fig: 5 Site Plan}

Description: “ArcHarbour” is designed to provoke people and their curiosity about the hidden messages behind the architecture and its power. The ethereal building interlaces with the surrounding environment proposing a sustainable design, innovation, and a personal journey for every visitor. The goal is to inspire a better future.

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Editor’s Choice: Athenaeum for Architecture

By: Natalia Płoskonka

^{Fig: 6 Site Plan and image}

Description: The spatial form of the building is an image of the content consciously hidden in the architectural shape of the building. The building takes the form of a monument, which becomes a reflection of the civilized development of the community that creates it. Such action leaves free interpretation to the observer.

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Editor’s Choice: The Axis Athenaeum

By: Mohamed Abdellatif, Dilsad Kurdak, Nur Yilmaz & Melis Pınarel

^{Fig: 7 Image and 3D Site Plan}

Description: Historical flow give a city layer consistency. Every new discourse and practice creates meaning and material layers in time and space.

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Editor’s Choice: Athenaum is...

By: Марина Атанакинян, Дана Якупова, Марк Ли & Anastasia Kultaeva

^{Fig: 8 Section Plan}

Description: Athanaeum is a space for studying and rethinking architecture. A temple where you can feel it through different methods We wanted to convey to the people and designers from all over the world who will visit this place - the message of changing the role of the architect in the design process.

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Editor’s Choice: DANIFICATION

By: Jack Fox & Yuhan jiang

^{Fig: 9 Cover Image}

Description: Athenaeum to architecture.

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