DENMARK ARCHITECTURE TOUR

I am currently studying a Master of Architecture and was thrilled by the opportunity to be part of a global study tour in Denmark in December 2022. The study tour was titled “Decoding the Danish Juggernaut” – an architectural expedition of Copenhagen’s architectural marvels and vernacular. In summary, the architecture of Denmark is well ahead of its time in terms of sustainability, design thinking, circular economy and most notably a junction between people, play, movement and interaction.

Before arriving on my study tour, I took the opportunity to travel to Venice, Rome, Paris, Normandy, Amsterdam and Urecht before arriving in Copenhagen. As a first timer in Europe, all of the necessary items on my architectural bucket list were checked off. It was such an immersive experience to see projects from the past, present and emerging. From the Bridge of Sighs, the Venice Biennale and the Pantheon – now to reflect upon my experience with well over 20000 photos in my camera roll. As a penultimate destination, we were welcomed by the breadth of the nordic winter as we arrived in Copenhagen. Undertaking the tour day to day by bicycle, we navigated the sidewalks, streetscapes and roads from case study to case study.

The tour as a whole consisted of over 50 individual project case studies all over the city, consisting of schools, apartments, houses, office buildings, parks, civic spaces and countless other examples of architecture that centralises the user and its place in an ecosystem of sustainable buildings that are both innovative and forward thinking. Not only was the architecture the focal point of the tour, but we also had the chance to meet their makers. Amongst the duration of the tour, we visited interior designers, architects, urban designer, landscape architects and architectural researchers who all have had a hand in the creation of Denmark’s sustainable architecture scene, prime examples that have influenced the architecture on a global scale – present in the latest contributions to the Australian skyline now and over the next coming years.

Along the way – we were able to get a taste of the nightlife, cuisine and cultural avenues of Denmark – especially the Christmas night markets! For any aspiring architectS wishing to unravel the architectural scene on a global scale – I wouldn’t think twice! It is truly a milestone in your tertiary education and so relatable to the way you think about architecture as you emerge into the world of practice.

Ricky Gagliardi

Master of Architecture

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)