Sluseholmen / Arkitema Architects + Sjoerd Soeters

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Text description provided by the architects. Canal community with 1,000 dwellings.  Lively and imaginative housing blocks that are unique in Danish housing construction.   Amsterdam, Venice, Christianshavn – it is not hard to see where the Sluseholmen development finds its inspiration. Water is the essential element in the canal community now taking shape in the district's old industrial and harbour areas. 

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Sluseholmen consists of eight housing islands, with large and small town houses standing side by side, forming continuous blocks. The atmosphere varies between an intimate canalside environment and areas characterised by a large scale and open views of the surrounding harbour environment. The houses are frequently located right next to the canals, while the bridges, wharfs and waterside steps allow residents to get close to the water and dip their toes in it. Together with the Dutch architect Sjoerd Soeters, Arkitema has been responsible for the general planning of the area. Arkitema also developed the shell structures and drew up the overall game rules governing the proportions, materials and colours. 

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These game rules provided a starting-point for the many architects who were invited to design facades. The individual houses are highly diverse in appearance, like Copenhagen vernacular architecture from around 1900. The result is lively and imaginative block housing that is unique in Danish housing construction. We have created green oases in the centre of the large courtyard areas – neighbourhood quadrangles where residents can organise common areas for relaxation and play. Here there is room for a rose garden, a swimming pool or a small private vegetable garden.

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