Copenhagen – the capital of design

Definitions of Danish design have filled countless books and newspaper articles for years, and its essence is found in timeless simplicity, quality of materials and functionality. Denmark is a world-leading superpower in design, and Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, is a haven for discovering design achievements, old and new.

Applied art
When we think of Danish design, we think of bright and airy spaces, smart solutions and intelligent lighting, natural materials and a sense of relaxed living. Where better to experience the appeal of Danish design than in the capital of this Scandinavian country?

In order to get to know or even buy a cult piece of Danish design, it is best to first walk to streets Bredgade in the central part of the city, where shops offer avant-garde interior design, antique furniture, jewelry and fashion from local designers. If we want a certain piece of furniture or a useful object that has achieved icon status due to its shape, it will be best to turn to the address Bredgade 33, where it is auction house Bruno Rasmussen, a leading Danish art auction company. Drud & Koppe Gallery and Jorgen Daalgard Gallery, which specializes in the sale of Danish porcelain and glass, offers both contemporary and antique artistic utility items. Art shops should also be mentioned Hanne Gundelach, Montana Design and Antique, as well as the boutique of a renowned fashion designer Anne Feldballe and beautiful underwear in Katja K Studio. Not only shopaholics will come to their account on Bredgate Street, but everyone who is interested in design as an artistic expression and would like to learn more about the development and history of design. Danish Museum of Art and Design namely, it displays one of the most complete collections of international industrial design, decorative and applied art. The museum collections, library and archive also represent the central research center for the study of design and its history in Denmark. All "design fetishists" must visit the center Designer Zoo, which brings together the most dynamic fashion, ceramics, jewelry, glass and furniture offerings in the city.

The city as an exhibition space
Design reigns not only on Bredgate Street, but all of Copenhagen is an exhibition space where interesting architectural and design projects are placed. It is certainly one of the most interesting urban areas Sluseholmen, which was built in 2006 on the site of the former docks, and residents of the canal-side settlement can take their kayaks to work. The newest part of the city Orestade, which is distinguished above all by its attractive location and excellent infrastructure, is being developed near the Oresund Bridge, which connects the Danish capital with Sweden's third largest city, Malmö. An area of as much as five kilometers presents a new challenge to architects competing in the construction of innovative, human- and nature-friendly settlements. The project, which the Danes began to develop in 1992, is still being developed. Different architects left their mark on the area. According to plans, at least 20,000 people will live in it in the near future, at least 60,000 will work, and 20,000 students are already studying there. The most interesting settlement is called VM Bjerget and acts as an illusion of the mountain. Most of the eighty apartments also have hundred square meter roof gardens, and the facades facing north and west are reminiscent of Mount Everest. In 2008, VM Bjerget was chosen among 243 projects as the best residential development project at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona. Since this year Copenhagen is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Oresund Bridge, this year's Festival of architecture and design in the days of September, he focused mainly on the architecture of the bridge and its surroundings. Of course, the city, in which form and quality of life are very important, was not overlooked by the most famous names in the world of architecture. American Daniel Liebeskind signed in 2004 Danish Jewish Museum, Norman Foster envisioned a new abode for elephants in Copenhagen Zoological Park, the Frenchman Jean Nouvel designed the new concert hall, which was opened last year, the Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid is the author of the magnificent new extension art museum Ordupgaard. In addition to modern architectural achievements in the city, we must not forget the masterpieces of the famous architect and designer Arne Jacobsen. His masterpieces: the Radisson SAS hotel and National Bank have become icons of modern Copenhagen. We will probably be even more impressed by the building of another great Danish architect, Jørn Utzon (the architect of one of the most famous buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House), as he also designed the building of the furniture store Paustian. In it, we will find the richest selection of designer furniture, carpets and lamps in Denmark. Enthusiasm for modern architecture will not only be shared by those who like to shop, but also art lovers will be able to combine their interest in painting with a visit to the monumental new extension National Gallery, which hosts a collection of modern art, or the new wing glyptotheque NY Carlsberg, built according to the plans of the Dane Henning Larsen. Those who especially enjoy design will be delighted to see the exhibitions in Danish Center for Design, also designed by Larsen. It was built just a few kilometers south of the city in 1996, when Copenhagen was the cultural capital of Europe Arken Museum of Modern Art according to the plans of the architect Søren Robert Lund. A museum building that resembles a ship and is beautifully located among the sand dunes in the vicinity of the Ishøj neighborhood.

Art in hotels
The Radisson SAS hotel by architect Arne Jacobsen is one of the first design hotels in the world, and Copenhagen, in line with its reputation as a design mecca, offers a huge number of hotels that impress with their creative solutions. Hotel Astoria it has retained some of its characteristics from 1934 and 1935, when it was built on an impossibly narrow and long plot of land near the main railway station. The Danish design company GUBI, which, among other things, took care of the furniture in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, completely renovated the hotel, but at the same time preserved details reminiscent of the past. All rooms are equipped with designer furniture, and black and crimson colors dominate. Young people from all over the world get excited about the Fox Hotel, which was opened in 2005. When they were renovating 61 rooms, they invited 21 artists to participate and let them choose the furniture, wallpaper and other interior fittings. After the renovation, the Fox Hotel presents a new concept of young urban tourism and the essence of youthful mobility. In addition to imaginatively decorated rooms, young people are also impressed by the very affordable price of the rooms, which denies the fact that Scandinavia does not attract young people due to high prices.

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