Copenhagen Police Station
The now-listed police station was built from 1919 to 1924 by Hack Kampmann, Holger Jacobsen, and Aage Rafn. For several years, APA has continuously carried out a wide range of renovation and restoration work in and on the building, including the memorial garden, foyer, canteen, main stairwell, command center, and service center. These initiatives form part of an ongoing commitment to preserving one of Denmark’s most significant examples of law enforcement and civic architecture.
Facts
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Lead Consultant
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Danish National Police
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Copenhagen, Denmark
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28,700 sqm
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Completed in 2010
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Respect for heritage
With its geometric forms and references to Greek architectural elements, the police station represents a unique type of public architecture within the Danish architectural tradition. All renovation and restoration work by Alex Poulsen Architects has been undertaken with great respect for cultural heritage and a consistent aim to preserve the building’s original architectural expression.
New and old
The connection between historic preservation and modern functionality is emphasized by the reintroduction of the original terrazzo floor in the service center, where an artistic cohesive appearance prevails. While maintaining as much of the original structure as possible, functional upgrades have been integrated to meet contemporary needs, including partitioning glass walls, soundproofing, acoustic plaster, and integrated cooling in the ceilings. Through this approach, the police station remains not only physically durable but also functionally sustainable.
The passage of time
As the passage of time has taken its toll on the building due to wear from wind and weather, it has been Alex Poulsen Architects' task to perform maintenance and restoration. This has included re-plastering facades and restoring the roof, natural stone, windows, and metalwork. These upgrades ensure the continued preservation and daily use of a sharply defined heritage police station for years to come.
An eye for detail
During the work on the police station, it has been crucial that the updated elements are executed with a high degree of similarity to the originals. This demands an architectural approach rooted in detail, craftsmanship, material accuracy, and restoration precision, which the design studio has prioritized greatly. In the memorial garden, this has been expressed through replacement, plastering, and and surface treatment of the ceiling, executed with a deep respect for the building’s original design integrity.
