Christiania attracts a lot of tourists because of its free-spirit culture and open sale of drug, but if you venture further into the area you will find some great experimental architecture, mainly developed under the idea of ‘architecture without architects’. Ordinary building restrictions did not seem to be a consideration in Christiania, and in the area you find futuristic spaceships, sustainable buildings, buildings made out of what material was available during the process, or buildings made from architecture students volunteering to try our new ideas. Now the government try to control the development with impending rules and regulations - such as the new law that nothing new can be built except roofing. The inhabitants solution is to make houses entirely out of roofing…  In the area around Christiania you find some beautiful house boats for inspiration, some small and some matching the size of an ordinary house. Here you can see converted ferries, a three storey boathouse and some that looks like shipping containers. I love exploring this whole area, as it feels like I find new, hidden gems every time I visit, at the same time as being a nice relaxing weekend stroll.
Address
Architecture in Christiania and the houseboats nearby, Sydområdet 22, 1. sal., Copenhagen, Denmark
Current city: London
Other cities: TrondheimCopenhagen
Johanne Lian Olsen is a Graphic Designer working within type design, editorial design and illustration. She is flexing between working at projects in the UK and Norway.
 

More Places in Copenhagen 69

If you like beautiful architecture and want to escape the city for a few hours, head north of the city along the coast. Bellevue beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Copenhagen area, on the northern outskirts of the city. The Beach is a sandy beach, approx. 700m long, and feature characteristic blue-striped lifeguard towers and a geometric kiosk, all designed by the Danish architect and furniture designer Arne Jacobsen in the 1930s. The beach is used by everybody – from young families to nudists, they all share the same space (this is Denmark after all).  If you take the coastal road up to the beach you will pass the Skovshoved Petrol Station designed by the same man. The functionalist style Petrol Station built in the early 1930s is still in operation. Whilst the pumps still functions as a petrol station, the building now functions as a cafe. The roof of the station is oval-shaped, hence the nickname ‘The Mushroom’, and is illuminated at night to highlight the beautiful designed building.
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Mahalle is one of my favorite places for lunch or dinner. the food is lebanese and it is incredibly good at very reasonable prices. booking is often necessary Photo: © Ture Andersen
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Small hotel with a nice lobby bar. I hang here for coffee or drinks with friends. A inner courtyard that reminds me a bit abut Hotel Amour in Paris.
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Morgenstedet is vegetarian restaurant located at the free town of Christania, serves the best soups in town and other excellent organic food. Despite it’s name ”the morning place”, it’s also open in the evening.
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A. Petersen is a hidden gem near 'Kløvermarken' in Copenhagen. This place is outstanding, beautiful and very inspiring if you are looking for danish furniture design as well as contemporary art. Definitely worth a visit. More info at: www.petersen.dk   / extract from site:   At A. Petersen you experience good craftsmanship up close. In our gallery the joint efforts of the best designers, architects and craftsmen becomes tangible and visible. With us, new furniture is created and older pieces are restored and revitalized.  Photo: © Ture Andersen
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