Vandelay

Copenhagen Architecture Guide

Copenhagen holds 6 buildings across 6 architectural styles, anchored by a Contemporary scene that has made the city one of Europe's most closely watched architectural laboratories. The leading architect is Bjarke Ingels, whose Copenhill waste-to-energy plant and Mountain Dwellings redefined what infrastructure and housing can look like.

The city's catalogue ranges from Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint's Grundtvig's Church — a monumental Expressionist organ of yellow brick — to Studio Olafur Eliasson's Cirkelbroen, a pedestrian bridge composed of interlocking circular platforms. In between: 3XN's Blue Planet aquarium (parametric organic form), COBE's Tingbjerg Library (contextual community architecture), and the Mountain Dwellings' cascading terraces. Copenhagen's architecture is unified by a commitment to public life and an insistence that buildings serve the city, not just their programs.

Architecture at a Glance

6 buildings 6 styles 6 architects

How to Read Architecture in Copenhagen

Copenhagen's 6 architectural styles tilt heavily toward the contemporary, but the city's most important building predates them all. Here is what to look for.

Contemporary

The dominant direction, with playful, socially engaged buildings that blur boundaries between infrastructure and public space. Bjarke Ingels's Mountain Dwellings stack apartments as cascading terraces with parking underneath — look for the diagonal green slope and the pixelated facade. COBE's Tingbjerg Library inserts a cultural institution into a housing estate. The common thread: buildings that create new kinds of public life.

Expressionist

Grundtvig's Church is Copenhagen's Expressionist masterwork. Jensen-Klint spent two decades designing a church entirely in yellow brick — the facade rises like a vast pipe organ, with stepped gables and vertical lines that pull the eye skyward. Look for the handmade quality: every element, including the interior furnishings, follows the same brick module. It is architecture as total design.

Parametric & Organic

3XN's Blue Planet aquarium uses parametric modelling to generate a fluid, whirlpool-like form clad in aluminium shingles. The building's plan spirals outward from its centre. Look for the seamless transition between wall and roof — the envelope wraps continuously, eliminating the distinction between facade and canopy. Eliasson's Cirkelbroen uses a different organic logic: overlapping circular platforms that slow pedestrians into a winding path.

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Notable Buildings in Copenhagen

Explore all 6 buildings in Copenhagen

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Architectural Styles in Copenhagen

Architects in Copenhagen

Frequently Asked Questions

How many architectural landmarks are in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen features 6 buildings across 6 architectural styles, including Contemporary, Parametric design, High-tech.
What architectural styles can I find in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is known for Contemporary (3), Parametric design (1), High-tech (1), and 3 more.
Which famous architects have buildings in Copenhagen?
Notable architects include Bjarke Ingels, Studio Olafur Eliasson, COBE Architects, and 3 more.
Is there a self-guided architecture tour in Copenhagen?
Yes — the Vandelay app offers a free AR map for self-guided architecture walks in Copenhagen. Scan buildings to learn their stories, discover hidden gems, and explore at your own pace.

Your architecture guide for Copenhagen

Exact locations, AR scanning, self-guided walks, and the full building catalogue — free in the Vandelay app.

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