Architecture is never experienced through photographs alone. It reveals itself in the changing light, the sound of footsteps across a floor, the texture of a handrail, the rhythm of a city street and the conversations that unfold around a table. To truly understand architecture, you have to be there.
This year, the timing aligned perfectly for our team to spend seven days together in Copenhagen during 3 Days of Design. It was a first for every one of us and experiencing the city with fresh eyes made every discovery feel that much more significant.
At Studio Prineas, travel is an investment in curiosity. It is an opportunity to step away from the demands of practice and immerse ourselves in the places, buildings, homes, landscapes and objects that quietly shape the way we think. Just as importantly, travelling together creates space for conversation—for sharing observations, challenging one another, discovering unexpected moments and returning with a richer collective perspective than any of us could have gained alone.
The memories that follow are not a travel diary, but a collection of moments that stayed with us. Some are grand, others almost imperceptible. Together, they remind us that inspiration rarely arrives as a single revelation. More often, it is gathered slowly—through experience, reflection and the privilege of seeing the world together.
Grundtvigs Kirke
By Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint
Arriving at Grundtvig Church, the modest scale and of the surrounding residential neighbourhood reinforces its presence as a natural gathering place. Set prominently at the centre of the district, the church anchors the urban fabric, its monumental stepped façade rising above the surrounding houses with a quiet grandeur. Designed by Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint in 1913 and completed by his son, Kaare Klint, the church was constructed between 1921 and 1940 using more than five million Danish clay bricks, produced on Zealand and laid with extraordinary precision by master brick craftsmen. The entry is intentionally compressed through the low narthex before the interior expands into the full height of the nave. The transition is immediate, with the change in volume amplifying the perception of scale and drawing attention to the structural rhythm of the repeated brick arches. As I moved through the space, soft daylight filtered through the tall, clear-glazed windows, washing evenly across the pale brick surfaces, revealing the precision of the masonry and emphasising form. Footsteps and quiet voices lingered gently beneath the vaulted ceiling, reinforcing the scale of the interior and reverence of the space. The carefully finished brickwork, uniform joints, controlled natural light, and subtle reverberation eliminate the need for ornament, allowing material, proportion, and atmosphere to define the architectural experience.
Nærheden
By Home.earth
Our first full day in Copenhagen began with an inspiring visit to Home.Earth, where founder Rasmus Nørgaard shared a vision for housing that centres every decision around people, cities and the planet. Their housing model challenges conventional investor driven development by taking the time to thoughtfully design forever homes, while significantly reducing environmental impact. This approach resonated deeply with our own values as a B Corp and reinforced the belief that design, sustainability and social impact are inseparable. We then toured their first completed development in Nærheden with project architect and Home.Earth co-founder Kasper Guldager, who explained that they do not see their buildings as finished products but as an ongoing process of learning and refinement. Each completed project is carefully reviewed to inform the next iteration, continually improving everything from materials and construction to tenancy and long term stewardship. Rasmus shared a quote by R.Buckminster Fuller that stuck with us all; “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” It perfectly captured Home.Earth’s approach and left us inspired by the potential for design to reshape our buildings, communities and cities.
Bellevue Teatret
By Arne Jacobsen
As architects, we visited the Bellevue theatre, one of the principal works of Arne Jacobsen built and opened in1936 and Denmark’s most complete example of Bauhaus inspired architecture. The furniture and lights, all designed by Jacobsen reflected his commitment to creating a complete architectural experience. The theatres distinctive striped walls echoed the nearby lifeguard towers along the beach, reinforcing the connection between the building and its coastal setting. Our guide was wonderfully theatrical in his presentation, which added to the atmosphere and character of the theatre itself. One of the most striking features was the retractable roof, an elegant design element that enhanced both the functionality and the beauty of the building. During our visit the roof was opened for us to experience the view to the sky and the rain, lucky we had our umbrellas.
Kjaerholm Residence
By Hanne Kjaerholm with furniture by Poul Kjaerholm
Being welcomed through a fragrant veil of cascading wisteria into the Kjærholm family residence by Hanne and Poul Kjærholm’s son, Thomas, was an incredibly moving experience. Designed by Hanne in 1962 as a modest seaside home, it remains a beautiful expression of her architectural sensibility, with Poul’s furniture thoughtfully created to inhabit the spaces—including dining chairs shaped to perfectly fit Hanne’s back! As Tom guided us through the house, he pointed out a single Spanish tile quietly inlaid into the hallway wall, part of Hanne’s tradition of concealing one treasured tile collected on her travels within each home she designed. Rich with personal stories and extraordinary design detail, the house offered a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives, creative partnership and enduring legacy of two of Denmark’s most influential designers.
Lousiana Musum of Modern Art
Our rainy day visit to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art did not disappoint. An entirely unique museum experience where the modernist architecture captures & delights just as much as the art. Meandering through the sequence of rooms I was struck by the way in which they expand and contract. Low-ceiling glazed corridors lead to voluminous spaces with cleverly framed views which then recede back to darker subterranean feeling galleries from which you emerge into the light. The entire museum is an invitation to explore and discover, with the landscape and surrounds always central to the experience. The Sophie Calle exhibition was the cherry on top – heartfelt & humorous it encouraged viewer interaction with the art & left a lasting memory of the emotions explored.
