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PUBLIC REALM PROJECTS / SUPERKILEN, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
The district of Nørrebro in Copenhagen holds some of the most ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in Denmark. Its social make-up - a global village in miniature - and the social challenges it faces are typical of similar districts in major cities around the world. What sets Nørrebro apart, how- ever, is the city’s unique response to these challenges. With the backing of Realdania, a philanthropic group dedicated to urban development projects, the Copenhagen Kommune has overseen a project that pulls away from a divisive response to multicul- turalism, and instead chooses to celebrate the richness of the area’s collective herit- age.
Superkilen is a 750m long communal space stretching between the streets of Norrebro- gade and Tagensvej. Its development and design grew from one overarching concept: to create a giant exhibition of urban best practice, a collection of global found ob- jects sourced from over 60 different nation- alities - nationalities shared by residents of the surrounding neighbourhood. The mix is truly eclectic. Exercise gear from muscle beach in Los Angeles sits alongside sewage drains from Israel, palm trees from China counterpoint neon signage from Qatar and Russia. Each object is accompanied by a small stainless steel plaque, inlaid in the ground, describing the object, what it is and where it comes from – written in Danish and in the language(s) of the country that inspired it.
The project is a creative collaboration between architectural practice BIG, land- scape architect Topotek1 and arts collec- tive Superflex. It constitutes a rare fusion of all three disciplines, from early concept through to construction stage.
The conceptual starting point was a division of the space into three coloured zones: green, black and red. These colours are ap- plied literally to the surfaces and structures within their respective areas, helping to link together the eclectic objects within them and establish the distinct characters ascribed to each.
THE RED SQUARE
Nørrebrohall, the neighbourhood sports and cultural centre, sits at the edge of the Red Square, the southernmost section of the site. The square was created to act as an external extension for the hall. It pro-
vides space and equipment for a range of recreational activities as well as a location for one off events, weekly market stalls and seasonal attractions. Its presence is intended to not only enhance the space for locals, but also act as a draw for those living further afield, in Copenhagen’s centre and the surrounding suburbs.
The main source of illumination comes from Hess Residenza UL wire-suspended fixtures, chosen for their specially designed wide distribution reflector. Manufactured from anodised aluminium, they were equipped with a 70W metal halogen HIE-CE sources. Four pole-mounted neon signs provide a light art element to the square. Supplied by Esbjerg-based SRI Sign Solution, they repre- sent Russia, China, Taiwan and the USA.
THE BLACK SQUARE
The central section of the project is the smallest. The Black Square, also called Mimers Plads, is intended to be a more intimate, relaxed space – a shared out- door living room. Again world objects have been transplanted to the site: a Moroccan fountain, Turkish benches, Japaneses cherry trees. A series of white lines flows from one end to the other, swerving around each item, evoking the carefully raked gravel of Japanese Zen garden. While the Red Square is for sport and spec- tacle, this black zone offers a calmer tone. On weekdays, the permanent tables and benches create a space for backgammon and chess players to compete, while the Argentinean barbeque grills allow for com- munal outdoor eating.
At the centre of the square stands another neon piece, this time a dentist’s sign from Doha, Qatar. Beside that, a German-in- fluenced 360º arrangement of six Hellux 153 fixtures mounted atop a 10m mast, to provide area lighting. Across the square, a twelve-metre mast is headed by eight Hellux 301 fixtures. This too is inspired by a German design, more specifically the Spandau borough of Berlin. The twelve- and ten-metre masts also sup- ports iGuzzini Maxi Woody spots fitted with HIT 35W sources. Similar spots are mounted around the perimeter of the square to cre- ate pools of light across the space. Further area lighting is provided by a system of customised Bega Light Building Elements, a huddle of light masts fitted with LED strip
Main picture The Green Park makes up the largest section of the Superkilen project. Neri Castora streetlights, part of the Heritage series, give the area a classic Italianate flavour. Each eight-metre mast is topped by between two and six heads, equipped with 35W HIE with frosted transparent asymmetric domes. Bottom left A dentist’s sign, inspired by an original in Doha, sits at the centre of the Black Square, beside it a multi-headed mast of Hellux 153 luminaires. Bottom centre Four pole-mounted neon signs provide a light art element to Red Square. Supplied by Esbjerg-based SRI Sign Solution, they represent Russia, China, Taiwan and the USA. Bottom right The Red Square provides an open space for events such as weekend markets.
Pic: Mike Magnussen
Pic: Mike Magnussen
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