Day 2 - Betsy in Copenhagen - Arne Jacobsen and Space Copenhagen Radisson Blu

I visited the newly renovated public spaces – bar, restaurant, lounge, lobby and restrooms of the Royal Copenhagen. Amazing space. The use of color, texture and drama was everywhere. The renovation was deft at maintaining the legacy of Jacobsen but adding a layered contemporary luxury to the spaces. This was a very dramatic and elegant space. The use of light and darkness was intentional and a surprise when thinking of lightness of contemporary Danish design. The details were amazing, bronze and leather used throughout. The furniture was perfect for each space. The restrooms were wonderful in all pink and again layered with details.

A nice contrast from other hotel & restaurants in the city. 

Day 2 - Betsy in Copenhagen - Superkilen by BIG

This is the well documented public space/ park in the northern area of Copenhagen.

The published photos show a vibrant and dynamic urban place. Visiting was very different. All of the areas have been tagged and vandalized to some effect. The colors have faded it’s the red section. This was really disappointing. The spaces were being used even though it was winter and cold out.

Overall a great design and progressive use of public space – its too bad the neighbors don’t care for it.

Day 2 - Betsy in Copenhagen - Jorn Utzon Bagsvaerd Church

His most important structure in Demark was his Bagsværd Church – 30 min north of Copenhagen. I visited after I left the DAC.
I think Utzon was in love with interior experiences. Many of his buildings have a subtle or simple exterior that belies the interior experience. The interior experience celebrate scale and materials and how the body perceives and interacts with them. This church’s exterior is simple and unadorned. When entering the church you pass through a simple Douglas Fir screen then you enter the sanctuary. The floor is white concrete in 2x8 sections. The lower parts of the walls are made of the same white 2x8 sections of concrete. The side aisles are structured of exposed concrete and the ceiling structure and flowing forms of the ceiling are made of white painted board formed concrete. They conceal a hidden skylight that provides a lot of light for the nave.

The building plays in contrasts. The pews are made of light Douglas fir. The pattern carpet that you walk down the main aisles is bright and colorful. The places to kneel at the later are white terrazzo with Spanish tile end-caps and light celadon Swede Upholstry. These design decision are about putting softness and warmth near the human body.. The structure remains austere and monumental and white.

Representing god and and the power of god. The light in the structure is natural and hidden from view – gain reinforcing the mystery of god. The electric light is bold and straightforward it runs horizontally along the side aisles.

The interior is intimate in scale, and is a small church. I was surprised that the alter and the concrete pattern screen behind the alter are asymmetrical. This had a whimsy to the space that was unexpected.

Day 2 - Betsy in Copenhagen - Danish Architectural Center - BLOX

The new DAC is housed in a new complex called the BLOX. It was designed by OMA and has an outdoor skate park, coworking area, kids area, museum, café, lecture hall and educational spaces. It sits right at the water and has decks that in summer would be wonderful to sit at.

The DAC had a show featuring Jorn Utzon – Denmarks architectural master. The show was really complete with lots of his own sketches, models and words/videos.  Utzon was the design architect for the Sydney Opera House and that part of his career was documented well. The inspiration and the eventual break down of his relationship with the building were described.

I found a few things most interesting. First he had designed many homes for his family. The one in Majorca was incredible. It was built on a cliff. The house is comprised of 5 villas that sit simply and quietly on the site. The videos and models show the home and how the views and sun where the single design drivers. Few few furnishings were there and the ones that were were built of sandstone and concrete like the home itself. Utzon described enforcing the views by enlarging the window forms and putting them on the exterior wall of the home. So when viewing from the inside out it appears as if there is no window there at all.

He also described how the Sydney Opera House was inspired by his visits to Mexico and Central America. Studying the ancient Mayan pyramids and how the base supported the alters.

Day 1 - Betsy in Copenhagen - Tiviolo Food Hall

Food halls are beginning to dominate the midwest food scene. Here in Copenhagen the Tivoli Food Hall is new and making an impact. The food hall is small – 10 vendors at the most.

The spaces around the vendor stalls are consistently designed and of quality materials. The Douglas fir floors and custom tables and stools make a strong and consistent backdrop to the storefronts. The foods vary and but all have interesting brands and styling.

Interior Design Best of the Year

Studio BV is beyond honored to have our Field Nation project as a finalist for the Interior Design Best of the Year Awards! Check out the full list of nominations here:

May 2018

May 1st marked Studio BV's second annual retreat day!  At our retreats, we spend our mornings out in the community doing a service project and the afternoons together celebrating our achievements over the last year and getting inspired for what is to come!

This year, we spent the morning at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis.  We brought in groceries and made a variety of freezer meals that will be available to families staying at the house that are unable to make the communal meal.  We also helped assemble thank-you packages for a school group that donated a substantial amount of money.  We were so impressed with the facility and the work of the Ronald McDonald House!  The staff and volunteers we worked with were so kind, the facility so impressive, and the mission so important!  Every year, the facilities in the Twin Cities serve over 5,000 families as they are going through the painful process of having a sick child in the hospital.  We loved being able to be a small part of this big mission!

After we finished all of our cooking, the SBV team headed to the brand new Dayton at Gaviidae - DT Minneapolis YMCA.  We love our work with the Y and were so grateful that they let us use their space for our retreat day.  We spent the afternoon celebrating each other's personal and professional accomplishments and giving Pecha Kucha-style presentations of the work we have completed over the last year.  We ended the day with a great happy hour and an inspirational presentation by Dr. Kathleen Vohs on how art enhances meaning.  It was another great retreat and we can't wait to see where the next year will take us!