One thing Copenhagen, Denmark, is well known for is its functionalist design and Neo-Modernist architecture. Buildings incorporate steel, glass, wood, natural stone, and brick, often featuring gravity-defying layouts.
Local artists continuously push boundaries, creating iconic pieces like the Egg Chair and the Swan Chair. If you want to explore Danish design in Copenhagen, here are some top experiences.
Danish Museum of Art & Design
Copenhagen is home to the Danish Museum of Art & Design, Scandinavia’s largest design library. The museum showcases Danish furniture, original design sketches, and 16th-century ornamental prints from Europe.
Exhibits highlight how Chinese ceramics, English and French furniture, and 18th-century French and German porcelain influenced Danish design. You’ll also find collections on Danish embroidery, weaving, and historical posters.
Rotating exhibitions, events, and lectures add to the experience, so check their website for details. This is also a great stop if you’re enjoying solo travel in Copenhagen, as you can browse at your own pace.
Sogreni Bike Shop
Copenhagen has a thriving cycling culture, and Sogreni Bike Shop blends function with art. The shop creates hand-built, custom bikes designed to be both practical and aesthetically stunning.
In the mid-1990s, shop owner Soren Sogreni was commissioned by the Danish Museum of Modern Art Louisiana to design a bike for their collection. Today, you can order a custom bike or browse beautifully crafted models featuring brass bells, rust-proof lamps, and rubber luggage racks.
The Crystal
The Crystal is an architectural marvel with a reflective glass façade. It appears to float, supported by only one point and one line.
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, the building integrates beautifully with Copenhagen’s cityscape. Cyclists especially enjoy weaving through its tunnel-like passages.
The Crystal is eco-friendly, featuring low energy consumption, solar panels, rainwater collection, and geothermal heating and cooling using seawater.
Explore Charlottenlund
Charlottenlund, a suburb of Copenhagen, is the hometown of famed architect Arne Jacobsen. His designs, including the famous Egg Chair, left a lasting mark on Danish design.
A must-see is “The Mushroom,” a historic Texaco gas station that can’t be demolished due to its architectural significance. Its curved shape resembles Jacobsen’s Ant Chair.
Also visit Bella Vista, a modern housing complex with ocean-view balconies. The Bellevue Theatre, another Jacobsen creation, reflects his signature functionalist style.
