The Amager Centre

Amager, Copenhagen

GOAL no. 11, 15

A factory building from 1940 has been transformed into an open and inviting shopping mall as well as into a lively urban meeting place that generates a sense of identity and pride in its neighbourhood.

Shopping malls are often situated without any connection to historical or original shopping areas in uninviting buildings that turn their back on the surrounding neighbourhood. This may have a negative effect on urban life and local businesses, as the malls suck all life out of an area, leaving the traditional shopping streets and shops half-empty. Furthermore, the closed malls do not appear inviting to passers-by.

All of this was partially true of the Amager Centre until its most recent transformation. Although the Amager Centre had served as an appendix to the shopping area on the street Amagerbrogade since 1975, the former factory building was a closed structure. Even after its conversion into a shopping mall and several exterior makeovers, there had been no attempt to open it up to the outside environment. The building remained oriented towards its own inner life; despite being packaged in more contemporary shopping architecture.

The recent transformation highlights the building’s industrial history. Extensions to the building were constructed in recycled brick, and the renovated mall has Denmark’s largest living wall with plants creating a rope-like pattern that refers to the building’s past function as a ropewalk. The factory was built in 1940 as an introvert structure, typical of its time. Therefore, a key aim of the transformation was to open the former factory to the local area, linking indoors and outdoors and creating a connection with urban life in Amager East.

This project demonstrates how quality and experiential value can be significantly enhanced, and how urban and commercial life can mutually enhance each other.

Project details

Where: Reberbanegade 3, 2300 Copenhagen

Completed: 2020

Clients: DSC Danske Shoppingcentre

Architects and advisors: PLH Arkitekter, Spacelab (design), OPLAND (landscape), DEAS (advisors), COWI (engineer), Hoffmann (contractor)