The Chapel Retold: Sustainable Transformation of a Historic Copenhagen Chapel

A Subtle Renewal of Meaning and Material

The Chapel Retold is a poetic and restrained transformation led by The Danish Association of Architects. The project reimagines a former funeral chapel and its adjoining garden on the Frederiksberg Hospital site in Copenhagen. Instead of erasing history through demolition, the architects, artists, and artisans embraced the ethos of adaptive reuse and minimal intervention, uncovering the existing building’s quiet beauty through thoughtful craftsmanship and ecological awareness.

This collaborative effort represents a growing movement in contemporary architecture — one that advocates for preservation, repair, and sustainable transformation rather than replacement. By valuing what already exists, the project proposes a gentler, more circular way of building that aligns with the principles of Agenda Earth, a Danish initiative for sustainable architectural futures.

A Quiet, Thoughtful Transformation

The Chapel Retold is a striking example of sustainable adaptive reuse in Copenhagen. Spearheaded by The Danish Association of Architects, this project reimagines a former funeral chapel and garden with minimal intervention, highlighting the value of existing structures rather than defaulting to demolition. The initiative aligns with contemporary trends in sustainable architecture, encouraging designers to see potential in what already exists.

Radical Approach to Material Reuse

In this innovative transformation, architects, artists, and skilled artisans focused on preserving and enhancing existing materials such as stone, masonry, wood, and windows. Instead of introducing excessive new resources, the team carefully cleaned, repaired, and repurposed materials from the chapel itself and nearby sources. The goal: a meaningful, low-impact renovation that tells the story of the building’s history.

Enhancing Original Qualities

Small, thoughtful interventions transformed the chapel while respecting its heritage. The gate’s original decoration was repurposed for new functions, damaged bricks were repaired with visible traces of age, and the building’s limewashing and paintwork followed the original color palette. The interior and exterior were made more open and inviting: a restored large window from a nearby site now floods the former funeral preparation space with natural light, and the garden is reconnected to the city by removing the restrictive hedge, promoting public engagement and interaction.

Collaborative Interdisciplinary Approach

The project underscores the importance of collective expertise in sustainable architecture. The transformation involved architects, artists, and artisans working together to analyze the chapel’s structure, its natural breathability, and its relationship to the surrounding environment. This collaborative process ensured a holistic approach to both preservation and innovation.

Part of the Agenda Earth Initiative

The Chapel Retold is part of Agenda Earth, an initiative led by The Danish Association of Architects in collaboration with Foundation Dreyers Fond. This forward-looking project envisions sustainable landscapes and built environments for the future, showcasing new possibilities in both words and images. The project is also supported by the Danish Arts Foundation, Bestles Fond, Knud Højgaards Fond, and Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond, reflecting a strong commitment to architecture that prioritizes heritage, sustainability, and community engagement.

All photographs are works of Laura Stamer