Dorte Mandrup Transforms Historical Dance Pavilion into Offices for Danish Law Society.

If anyone has been craving a bit of hardcore heritage-transformation recently, take a moment and have a squiz at this Danish jewel. Dorte Mandrup Architects recently completed a stellar renovation of the historic Valencia Dance Pavilion in mighty Copenhagen. Transforming the heritage listed building into a striking new base for the Association of Danish Law firms, the Pavilion was beaten back to life by the Danish design, wonder stick. Also known as Dorte Mandrup’s super talented pencil. And boy, did she beat it something epic or what?

Stripping the pavilion back to its structural matrix of planar geometries, and dusting it off with a neutral, white-based colour palate, the old structure evolved into a clean and functional corporate space. Brave enough to demolish a connecting residential block and planting a courtyard in its place, the project reestablished the pavilion’s sense of scale and independence within its otherwise pretty drab, residential context. By applying a simple but elegant, white finish to its triple-height façade, the original details start to pop. Dorte design love happening right here, right now! She really does know how to keep her little league of design-crazed fans drooling for more. As the layers of the interior build upon one another under a continuous skylight, subtle juxtapositions between past and present take centre-stage. Delicately defined interiors, like that incredible floating meeting room, use a material palate of corrugated tin, glass and all things white. In doing so, a sophisticated and complex series of thresholds between old and new arise. The layers go deeper still as the colour palate abruptly turns yellow. Yes I said it. Yellow! Although I love the colour, I wouldn’t normally be a fan of such vivid interiors. But in this context, those bright and glowing spaces really do cap off the new versus old narrative exhibited oh-so bloody well throughout the rest of the project.

I never imagined I’d experience lawyer envy, but if it meant being one of those lucky few who get to experience this monument to Danish heritage transformation everyday, I’d be biting at the bit to get my foot in the door. I think you guys might too. Enjoy!

(Images courtesy of Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter. Photography by Torben Eskerod.)

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