Skansen Residences / Dorte Mandrup

Architect: Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter Aps
Location: Ringsted, Denmark
Project Year: 2006
Client: Brainstones Development ApS
Engineer: Lemming & Eriksson A/S
Construction Area: 790 sqm
Photographs: Adam Mørk

The terrace houses have been built in connection with the official exhibition ‘Living 2006+’ in Ringsted. The construction consists of 7 terrace houses, placed in rows of 2 with respectively 3 and 4 housings, which stagger along a building line.

The 2 floors of the terrace houses are split-levelled around a mid zone that secures an optimized utilization of the spaces, with a logical and functional distribution inside the housing. At the same time the split-levels provide an interesting spatial sequence and an ample environment in the relatively small accommodations.
The split-levels of the construction, both in the horizontal and vertical arrangements, emphasize the landscape’s descending grounds towards the open plain-like terrain, whilst carrying with them an almost sculptural expression.

This form of construction arrangement makes it possible for semi-private outdoor living areas, with the possibility of informal meetings with neighbours. Yet the construction in itself appears spacious with great views of the surrounding scenery. The common areas are planted with grass and with blooming trees, such as cherry and magnolia. Back yards are bounded with beech hedges.

The terrace houses are built in concrete elements with bearing gable facades. The facades are covered with a veneered facing of plates in a warm and vibrant reddish-brown colour. The window frames are conducted in pinewood. The outside has been painted black, whereas the inside is pale white.

The interior is prepared with natural light materials and surfaces, with open spatial sequences.

The construction contains housings with 3 and 4 rooms, ranging from 96m2 to 130m2. Every housing has its own shed covered with the same material as the main building, and the houses at the end are equipped with private roof terrace.