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Happy 100th!

Copenhagen's must-see museum, the Glyptotek, re-opens with a facilities restoration that improves accessibility, and an expanded Ancient Mediterranean exhibit.

MK Timme -- Interior Design, 9/15/2006 3:03:00 PM

If you have never been to the Glyptotek, a magical art museum in Copenhagen, a gift to the city from Carl Jacobsen, (founder of Carlsberg Beer and patron of the Little Mermaid), then now is the time. They say late is better than never, but in this case, late is much better than before.

This is a museum that was made public in 1882, moved into a fabulous new building designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup in 1897, and extended in 1906 into an even more fabulous building by architect Hack Kampmann. Both buildings are considered architectural masterpieces of their day. In the 100 years since, word spread and foot traffic did too, making an issue of accessibility and wayfinding through the building's narrow halls and stairways. Thanks to birthday funds from the Carlsberg Foundation, a three year program of exciting renovations has just been unveiled by the museum's architectural firm of record, Dissing + Weitling, (former home to renowned Danish architect, Arne Jacobsen). The program effectively modernized materials and building functions while elevating the impact of the original buildings' masterful architecture and inventive design. Plus it increased its exhibition space with five newly restored rooms that haven't been open to the public in over 70 years. The rejuvenation of five galleries and the stairway leading to them were exceptional. The galleries are reached via an ornate white Carrara staircase elaborately decorated on the sides and ceiling with sculptures in the metal and woodwork. Highlights include:

a brand new foyer
The renovated foyer expanded into the footprint of the original Dahlrup building, which previously served as a vault in the basement. The architects deepened the floor by 43 inches, effectively transforming its brick arch ceiling into a powerful design element in the room. This part of the project created better physical access for the public, with new areas for ticket sales, an information lounge, a cafe, cloakrooms, and new restrooms, all clearly marked with black oxidized bronze icons mounted directly into the masonry which has been plastered with a gray-yellowish shade.
The Ancient Mediterranean exhibit
The former Etruscan Collection in the Hack Kampmann Building has been rearranged and expanded to create a more natural, and dramatic exploration of the cultural history and aesthetics of the regions around the Mediterranean, from around 6000 BC until the end of the Roman Empire around AD 400. The permanent exhibit was designed by the husband and wife architectural team Bonde + Ljungar to create a sense of lightness and transparency, to give visitors a sense of being part of the exhibition. The exhibit is further enhanced with dynamic art history presentations on computer terminals judiciously placed throughout.
Gallery colors
The original colors of the Dahlerup and Kampmann Buildings inspired new combinations of colors worked out by color specialist Camilla Schutzmann, in collaboration with the museum curators and the museum's conservation department.

For a full appreciation of the new space, view the slideshow on the right.