H.C Andersen Museum

Odense, Denmark

Source: Profile Magazin

Edition 28

Information about the reference project

Type of building:	Education and Culture
Products:	Entrances, Façades
Series:	FWS 60, AD UP 75
Location:	Odense, Denmark
Completion:	2021
Architects:	C&W Arkitekter,Kengu Kuma Associations Europe
Specialist company:	REDTZ Glas &Facade A/S
Picture credits:	© Rasmus Hjortshøj

Project description

The H. C. Andersen Museum was recently opened in the Danish city of Odense. In light of the surrounding low-rise buildings of the old town, the Japanese architectural office Kengo Kuma And Associates has created an organic ensemble consisting of five circular timber pavilions. Directly below is where the museum’s underground exhibition halls can be found. The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) continue to inspire children and adults around the world to this day. Given this unwavering popularity, Denmark’s third largest city, Odense, has recently dedicated a rather unusual new museum building to its most famous son. To embrace the historical architecture of the mostly single-storey rows of houses in the old town while also creating space for a beautifully designed garden connecting to the neighbouring birthplace of the author, Kengo Kuma And Associates have simply housed most of the museum underground. A group of circular timber pavilions of different heights is all that can be seen above ground.

Incorporating the entrance area, museum shop, café and workshop rooms, the five building structures blend in completely organically with the enchanted garden landscape thanks to their curved glass façades and sloping green roofs. In the centre of the complex, glazed spandrel panels provide visitors with a sweeping view down to a sunken garden containing a small expanse of water, around which the underground exhibition areas are arranged. As a result, an elaborate network has been created that gives visitors the space to descend into the fantastic world of H. C. Andersen. The planner took great care when designing the curved glazed façade; their striking diagonal struts echo the half-timbered architecture of the author’s neighbouring birthplace. The timber add-on construction used allows a harmonious look to be achieved inside the building. To emphasise the style of a half-timbered building, laminated timber profiles have been used externally in some areas.

Source: Profile magazine, issue 28

Download the profile 28 here (pdf, 8.0 MB)

Product information

FWS 60

High-performance mullion/transom façade with 60 mm face width – the basis for a variety of solutions

The Schüco FWS 60 façade system is an impressive basic system for façades and skylight areas with a high level of flexibility and attractive design options, including optimised fabrication and installation processes. Thanks to a broad system range, solutions for the most varied requirements and applications can be implemented.

A transparent system solution integrated in the profile for spandrel safety barriers blends seamlessly and elegantly into the external façade appearance.

Universal use as heavily used commercial door and stylish entrance door

Excellent insulation properties combined with high stability – the Schüco AD UP 75 door system with a 75 mm basic depth offers high functional reliability for all requirements in luxury residential and commercial buildings.

With its groundbreaking construction principle and modular gasket system, the system sets new standards in thermal insulation, weathertightness, load-bearing capacity and durability for aluminium door systems.