snøhetta tops subterranean museum extension with a faceted steel structure in denmark

snøhetta has completed a new extension and landscape design for ordrupgaard museum in denmark. the building was originally constructed during the first world war as a three-winged country mansion in the neoclassical style. the museum was expanded in 2005 by zaha hadid, who added a gently-curved glass and black lava concrete extension. this most recent project by snøhetta comprises landscape interventions as well as five subterranean exhibition spaces, one of which is topped with a faceted steel-coated structure.

images © laura stamer

ordrupgaard museum is located nearby a deer park north of copenhagen. the museum houses northern europe’s most comprehensive collection of french and danish art from the 19th and early 20th century.

snøhetta’s intervention links zaha hadid’s extension for special exhibitions with the museum’s original building and permanent collection. mostly underground, but also partly excavated from the landscape, the new exhibition spaces allow visitors to move through the museum in one continuous, circular movement. two of the new exhibition spaces create a continuation of hadid’s extension while the other three are dedicated to one of the museum’s main attractions: its extensive and permanent collection of french impressionist paintings.

like an unearthed treasure, the exterior of the largest of the three main exhibition spaces can be partly seen from the outside by its sculptural steel-coated structure. the extension exterior is dubbed ‘himmelhaven’ (‘heaven’s garden’) and it takes cues from impressionist painters’ use of light with its faceted steel surface, which is polished in different directions to create a play of light throughout the day and changing seasons.

a diagonal line cuts through the extension exterior, leading visitors to the main entry by hadid’s 2005 addition. it’s also surrounded by a partially sunken ‘mini-atrium’, where visitors can take a moment to sit down and enjoy the picturesque park surroundings.

during construction, snøhetta’s landscape team worked meticulously to safeguard the protected park, ensuring a surgical-like cut between the surrounding park and new extension. snøhetta has also altered the landscape surrounding zaha hadid’s extension with great care, planting the hillside with meadow flowers, and excavating the building somewhat, as well as integrating the building with the two hadid-inspired subterranean exhibition spaces.

snøhetta continued the dark concrete materiality for the interiors of the two exhibition spaces that extend zaha hadid’s. meanwhile, the exhibition spaces dedicated to the museum’s impressionist art are characterized by light colors and warm materials. designed in close collaboration with the museum, these spaces are all furnished with oak floors, walls, and ceilings, providing a light, organic and warm atmosphere.

gypsum boards are mounted on the walls allowing for the museum to effortlessly curate art pieces and change the color palette of each exhibition room when needed. the exhibition ceilings are covered with oak veneer cassettes with carefully integrated light installations, providing a seamless and harmonious design that places the art pieces at the center of attention.

contrasting with the reflective steel exterior, these interiors evoke a sense of softness and comfort, almost echoing the design of a classic vintage jewelry box, with its hard, metallic exterior and soft, velvety lining on the inside.

throughout the museum journey, snøhetta has also accommodated for natural daylight to penetrate the building, both as visitors leave the exhibition spaces linked to the 2005 extension, but also as they exit the permanent impressionist exhibition and enter the original museum and its winter garden. these slots of daylight create a clear transition from one building to the other, leaving room for visitors to appreciate the individual design of each part of the museum as they move through the building.

snøhetta’s ordrupgaard extension is a respectful one. it seeks to blend in with both the natural environment and the existing architecture; the neoclassical style and zaha hadid’s unmistakable touch. the snøhetta team has also sought to add their own interpretation of time and space into an intuitive and accessible cultural space for future generations to enjoy.

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project info:

name: ordrupgaard museum

location: charlottenlund, denmark

client: SLKS, slots og kulturstyrelsen

architect: snøhetta

area: 1,750 sqm (18,837 sqft)

year: 2021

photography: laura stamer