Copenhagen’s vibrant new urban space

English

The new urban space Kvaesthusprojektet unfolds over 500 metres from the waterfront in Nyhavn to the tip of the Kvaesthus Pier. The Kvaesthus urban space covers more than 15,000 square meters and offers a new and important urban venue. It will be surfaced with a distinctive dark paving that unrolls like a rug – uninterrupted

Space for living

and without shifts in levels in the full length and width of the pier.

The location is an invitation to informal city life along the pier where tour boats and ships pass by. A place to enjoy the sun and the cosy atmosphere while enjoying a refreshment from one of the pavilions.

The size and layout of the site also allow for more organized urban events. For example when the Royal Danish Theatre or others stage outdoor shows or performances. Two of the pavilions will serve as stage towers, making it possible to put a spotlight on the little stage by the “Kissing Steps”. The pavilion on the north side of the pier will

house changing rooms and technical equipment for the larger events.

This new urban space is designed to encourage active living and big gestures. It will be a new, distinctive meeting place that offers a wide variety of experiences on the waterfront as part of everyday life and as a venue for special events.

A good urban space should also invite people to linger. On the water’s edge, the 65 metre wide wooden deck ends in a set of “Kissing Steps” that lead down to the water. The Kissing Steps offer a cosy space in the spot where Sankt Annae Plads meets the water, and the Kvaesthus

Space for calm reflectionand quiet moments

Pier meets the city. A perfect place to enjoy the sun and each other’s company.

A series of pavilions will be built on the west side along the harbour basin. The pavilions will serve a variety of food and drinks or function as exhibition venues.

Their general purpose is to promote urban life throughout the day and across the seasons.

The tip of the pier will be Copenhagen’s new attraction. Here, the pier descends toward the water and meets the

horizon. Standing here on a crisp winter’s day, with the waves washing over the tip, is going to be a unique experience. And sitting here on a summer’s night to take in the grand scene of the harbour, the city and sea will be magical.

The car park underneath the Kvaesthus Pier is going to be one of the most modern in the world. The keywords are higher ceilings, ease of orientation, no dark corners and lots of light.

The entrance ramp to the facility is located at the end of Sankt Annæ Plads, close to the Playhouse and Kvaesthusgade.

A parking experience

To enter, motorists descend down this well-lit and inviting ramp, which is lined with trees and other plants.

The underground space is surprisingly open. A few, well- positioned pillars and very simple orientation on all three floors. The main attraction of the facility will be the three-storey-tall

connecting space that extends throughout the full length of the underground car park.

The escalators at one end of the space are visible from anywhere in the facility and offer the natural way to exit on foot.

Whilst ascending to ground level, visitors can enjoy the daylight filtering through the glass bricks in the ceiling. The tall wall toward the Kvaesthus Basin will be designed with a maritime expression. The car park has a capacity of 500 cars.

SKUESPILHUSET

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Rampe til parkering

Kyssetrappe

Verdens største skoleskib

Krigsskib Esbern Snarre

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1Distinctive paving throughoutThe entire square will be sur- faced with distinctive paving – from the Nyhavn waterfront to the tip of the pier.

2Entrance rampThe bright and welcoming entrance ramp to the car park is located on Sankt Annae Plads, close to the Royal Danish Playhouse and Kvaesthusgade.

3Landing stage for harbour tour boatsThe pier will have ticket sale booths and room for several tour boats to dock simultaneously.

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Kissing Steps65 metre wide wooden steps in close contact with the Kvaesthus Basin.

5PavillionsThe pavilions provide venues for entertainment and the sale of refresh-ments. The small flexible spaces among the pavilions offer cosy places to settle down and enjoy the scene.

The Kvaesthus urbanspace from Nyhavnto the tip of the pier

SKUESPILHUSET

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KVÆSTHUSMOLEN NORD

KVÆSTHUSMOLEN SYD

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Kyssetrappe

Verdens største skoleskib

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Ovenlys over forbindelsesrumRulletrappe fra p-anlæg

SceneOpbevaring under terræn

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6Stage towerA central stage tower contains technical installations and a wardrobe for stage productions and other major events.

7Landing stage for small and large shipsThe depth of the Kvaesthus Basin makes the pier well suited as a landing stage for even very large sailing ships. There will also be several places for smaller boats to moor.

8The tip of the pierToward the end, the pier tapers down toward the harbour.

Vision and exhibition

Vision• An attractive setting for urban life in interaction with the surrounding

area, including the Royal Danish Playhouse and the Royal Danish Opera.

• An expansion of urban life with aquatic activities – especially in the Kvaesthus Basin.

• Improved parking for the Royal Danish Playhouse, the Royal Danish Opera and the area in general.

• A functional, safe and secure traffic space.• A beautiful and dignified expression for the pier all year round.

January 2011 – January 2013Preliminary surveys, planning, project configuration, application processing,

preparation of tender documents, rerouting of pipes and cables and laying of

foundation stone

September 2013 – June 2014Surfacing of square (south of the

Playhouse)

January 2013 – December 2013Establishment of construction site and

dewatered excavation and arrangementswith contractors

June 2013 – December 2014Construction of car park including waterproofconcrete construction, technical installations

and completion

June 2014 – June 2015Surfacing of square (north of the

Playhouse) and pavilions on the square

Summer 2015Official opening of car park and

urban space

Timetable

Kvæsthusselskabet’s exhibition pavilionThe pavilion has its official opening on Saturday, 1 June 2013.

The pavilion will house an exhibition about the Kvaesthus Project.The pavilion also functions as the project office. You are always welcome to stop by if you have any questions.

We are looking forward to welcoming you.

Read more about the Kvaesthus Project and the opening hours of the pavilion on www.kvaesthusprojektet.dk

Illustrations: Lundgaard & Tranberg ArchitectsLayout: Make®

Printing: Arco Grafisk A/STranslation: Dorte H. Silver

Kvæsthusselskabet Kvæsthusgade 101251 Copenhagen K DenmarkTelephone: +45 70 11 66 66

info@kvaesthusselskabet.dkwww.kvaesthusselskabet.dk

Kvaesthusselskabet is the client for the car park. It is a subsidiary of Realdania By.

The Danish Ministry of Culture and the Royal Danish Theatre are the joint client for the urban space project. Kvaesthusselskabet manages the project, which is coordinated by a steering committee with representatives from Realdania and the Danish Ministry of Culture/the Royal Danish Theatre.

The architectural firm Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, which designed the Royal Danish Playhouse, also designed the urban space Kvaesthuspladsen and the underground car park.

The total budget for the Kvaesthus Project is DKK 560 million.

Read more at www.kvaesthusselskabet.dk