SLETH has developed housing at Vestereng that respects the cultural heritage and contextual significance of the area, integrating the history of the former Danish School of Journalism and the natural landscape of Vestereng. Our approach emphasized a harmonious blend of new residential spaces with the area’s unique history and green surroundings.
The project involves the construction of housing in a modern style with classic architectural elements, consisting of two building types: linear housing blocks and a point block. The linear housing blocks contain 54 apartments across four buildings, each with three floors. We designed these units, with gables facing west, featuring open bay windows in the living rooms or kitchens, offering views of the green area Vestereng. The point block, housing 23 apartments over four floors, provides each unit with a private terrace or balcony. The west-facing apartments in this building enjoy terraces or balconies oriented toward Vestereng and the surrounding landscape.
Structurally, the buildings are constructed with a rational system of bearing panels forming the core structure. Within this structure, facades are positioned with different characteristics based on orientation and context. In designing the distinctive facades, we drew inspiration from the modernist concrete facades of the Danish School of Journalism. We introduced striking contrasts with wooden doors, windows, and panels brought to life by primary colors that echo the original school’s interior color scheme. Distinctive areas of the building, such as the gables, are enhanced with greenery, primary colors, reliefs, and art, creating a dynamic and richly varied architectural experience.
The homes are situated on a terraced landscape, featuring modular, rhythmically patterned facades that echo the area’s existing materials of concrete, brick, and wood. These facades are designed to address local opportunities and challenges, such as views, orientation, noise, and privacy, and we carefully adapted each facade to their specific context. Facing Vestereng, the facades open up with large windows and balconies, enhancing the sense of living close to nature.
