Architecture prize for Danish social housing project
A BL member expands the approach of social housing in Copenhagen
Copenhagen, 31 January 2018 | Social, Urban
Danish social housing association, Lejerbo- a member of Housing Europe's Danish member organisation, BL- just got awarded the Lille Arne’ prize by the Danish Association of Architects. The award goes to praises architecture that combines high-quality buildings with quality outdoor areas.
By Kristoffer Friis Sørensen*
Lejerbo received the prize for 65 social housing units finished last year in the northwestern part of Copenhagen together with BIG, Bjarke Ingels Group and Gehl Architects which is world-known for their urban design thinking.
The prize is named after the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen and this is the first year a ‘Lille Arne’ award has gone to a strategy as well as a built project. The ambition of the strategy was to expand the approach of social housing in Copenhagen. The principles underline the importance of creating space for life that encourages a vibrant public life where residents can meet. Something Danes always have strived for in the creation of new social housing areas.
At a time when many projects are being realized in Copenhagen, it is even more important to prioritize quality at the right places in every project. This strategy was to be used as a tool to capture the importance of always ensuring quality and dialogue with stakeholders. The strategy also acknowledged the need for maintenance and good materials that can properly meet people’s daily needs.
“We have a strategy for not only building housing but homes at eye level for the people who are living in them” said Jan Hyttel, the Chair of Lejerbo Copenhagen at the award ceremony.
* Kristoffer Friis Sørensen is Journalist at BL
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