Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen

Last updated
Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
SAS Royal Hotel, Copenhagen, 1955-1960.jpg
Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
General information
LocationHammerichsgade 1, Copenhagen, Denmark
Coordinates 55°40′30″N12°33′47″E / 55.67500°N 12.56306°E / 55.67500; 12.56306
Opening1 July 1960;64 years ago (1 July 1960) [1]
ManagementRadisson Hospitality AB (part of Radisson Hotel Group)
Height69.6 [2]
Design and construction
Architect(s) Arne Jacobsen
Website
Official hotel website

The Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen is a historic hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Contents

History

The hotel was designed by Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen for the airline Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS). It was opened on July 1, 1960 by King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid as the Royal Hotel. It was also known as the SAS Royal Hotel. The hotel was renamed the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in 1994, when SAS signed a joint marketing agreement with Radisson Hotels. [3] When SAS and Radisson ceased the marketing agreement in February 2009, [4] the hotel remained with Radisson and was renamed the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. On March 6, 2018 it was renamed Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Copenhagen. [5] In 2019, the name was modified slightly, to Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen.

At its completion the hotel was the largest in Denmark. At 69.60 meters in height, it was the first skyscraper in Copenhagen, and until 1969, the tallest high-rise building in Denmark. [2] In 2009, it was the country's seventh-highest tower.

Design

The entire hotel – from the exterior façade through to the stainless-steel cutlery used in the restaurant and the Swan and Egg chairs gracing the lobby – was designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. Since most of his work has been replaced by corporate standard fabrics and furniture, the hotel has been referred to as Jacobsens' Lost Gesamtkunstwerk. Only a single room has been kept in the original design. It has all of the original, green furniture and the wood panels on the wall. This room, with the number 606, [6] is no longer available for booking but guests can request a tour. [7]

Shades of green dominate the entire design. Jacobsen, who was also working as a landscape architect 1955-1960, pursued a "modern garden" theme. He implemented this theme using green textiles and furniture combined with "organic shapes" and rigid geometric forms. [7]

Jacobsen has created several furniture, lighting and textile designs. Some models were later adopted into mass production and have become design classics, which are exhibited in museums worldwide. Others, however, remained unique pieces.

During the design phase sketches of the building were published in Danish newspapers. Critics feared a destruction of the traditional skyline of Copenhagen. The building was compared to a punch card. Jacobsen's response was, "it’s funny, for that is actually what it looks like when the windows are open on a hot summer’s day." Another term used was introduced by Jacobsen's former associate Erik Møller, who called it the "glass cigarbox". The promoter of the international style, Philip C. Johnson, said it was the worst copy of Lever House. Jacobsen responded: "At least, it came in first when they held a competition for the ugliest building in Copenhagen." [8]

Structure

Structure of the hotel: (1) tower (2) lower building (3) roof of the winter garden (4) roof of the airline terminal SASRoyalKopenhagenUbersicht.svg
Structure of the hotel: (1) tower (2) lower building (3) roof of the winter garden (4) roof of the airline terminal

The structure is twenty stories high and a defining characteristic of Copenhagen's skyline. The structure was inspired by New York Park Avenue structures, namely Skidmore, Owings & Merrill's Lever House. The building's sense of lightness emanates from its Lever House-inspired form with a two-story base supporting its lofty "punch card" tower.

The reinforced concrete frame structure erected in the tower has a curtain wall of aluminum profiles and transparent green and gray anodized glass. The windows can be opened to the inside stories in all. [9] The horizontal distance between the aluminum profiles is 60 cm. Vertical take turns green glass followed by 168 cm 120 cm window is installed. The curtain wall construction Jacobsen at the three-story City Hall was first used in 1955 Rødovre Denmark. The hotel façade differs only from the City Hall by the light-green colour of the intermediate elements and some slightly different proportions. [10]

Location

It is located in the heart of the city, in the Vesterbro district, close to Tivoli and Copenhagen Central Station. On a road island outside the hotel is the "Freedom Statue", commemorating the abolition of serfdom in Denmark.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arne Jacobsen</span> Danish architect (1902–1971)

Arne Emil Jacobsen, Hon. FAIA was a Danish architect and furniture designer. He is remembered for his contribution to architectural functionalism and for the worldwide success he enjoyed with simple well-designed chairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Functionalism (architecture)</span> Principle that defines a type of architecture

In architecture, functionalism is the principle that buildings should be designed based solely on their purpose and function. An international functionalist architecture movement emerged in the wake of World War I, as part of the wave of Modernism. Its ideas were largely inspired by a desire to build a new and better world for the people, as broadly and strongly expressed by the social and political movements of Europe after the extremely devastating world war. In this respect, functionalist architecture is often linked with the ideas of socialism and modern humanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christiansborg Palace</span> Palace in Copenhagen, seat of the Danish Parliament

Christiansborg Palace is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme Court of Denmark. Also, several parts of the palace are used by the Danish monarch, including the Royal Reception Rooms, the Palace Chapel and the Royal Stables.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Designmuseum Denmark</span> Art museum in Copenhagen

The Designmuseum Denmark is a museum in Copenhagen for Danish and international design and crafts. It features works of famous Danish designers like Arne Jacobsen, Jacob Jensen and Kaare Klint, who was one of the two architects who remodeled the former Frederiks Hospital into a museum in the 1920s. The exhibition also features a variety of Chinese and German porcelain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egg (chair)</span> Brand of furniture

The Egg is a chair designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1959 for the SAS Royal Hotel hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is manufactured by Republic of Fritz Hansen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Denmark</span>

The architecture of Denmark has its origins in the Viking Age, richly revealed by archaeological finds. It became firmly established in the Middle Ages when first Romanesque, then Gothic churches and cathedrals sprang up throughout the country. It was during this period that, in a country with little access to stone, brick became the construction material of choice, not just for churches but also for fortifications and castles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danish design</span>

Danish design is a style of functionalistic design and architecture that was developed in mid-20th century. Influenced by the German Bauhaus school, many Danish designers used the new industrial technologies, combined with ideas of simplicity and functionalism to design buildings, furniture and household objects, many of which have become iconic and are still in use and production. Prominent examples are the Egg chair, the PH lamps and the Sydney Opera House (Australia).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Copenhagen</span> Architecture of the capital of Denmark

The architecture of Copenhagen in Denmark is characterised by a wide variety of styles, progressing through Christian IV's early 17th century landmarks and the elegant 17th century mansions and palaces of Frederiksstaden, to the late 19th century residential boroughs and cultural institutions to the modernistic contribution of the 20th century such as Arne Jacobsen's National Bank and SAS Royal Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik Møller</span> Danish architect

Svend Erik Møller was a Danish architect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danish modern</span> Style of furniture

Danish modern also known as Scandinavian modern is a style of minimalist furniture and housewares from Denmark associated with the Danish design movement. In the 1920s, Kaare Klint embraced the principles of Bauhaus modernism in furniture design, creating clean, pure lines based on an understanding of classical furniture craftsmanship coupled with careful research into materials, proportions, and the requirements of the human body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swan (chair)</span> Lounge chair designed by Arne Jacobsen

The Swan is a lounge chair and sofa designed by Arne Jacobsen in the Danish modern style in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. It is manufactured by Danish furniture manufacturer Republic of Fritz Hansen.

Radisson Blu is an international chain of hotels operated by Radisson Hotels. With roots dating back to the 1960s, the Radisson Blu brand name came into existence in 2009 with a rebranding from Radisson SAS. Its hotels are found in major cities, key airport gateways and leisure destinations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Søholm Row Houses</span>

The Søholm Row Houses, designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in Klampenborg just north of Copenhagen, were completed in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Together with his Bellavista developments, the Søholm houses helped to establish Jacobsen's international reputation.

The Rothenborg House, Klampenborgvej 37, is a private home in Klampenborg, just north of Copenhagen, designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rødovre Town Hall</span> Listed building in Rødovre, Denmark

Rødovre Town Hall is located at the centre of Rødovre, a municipality some 9 km (5 mi) to the west of Copenhagen's city centre. Completed in 1956, it was designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. A fine example of the international architecture trends of the 1950s, it was inspired by the General Motors Technical Center to the north of Detroit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Søllerød Town Hall</span> Building in Søllerød, Denmark

Søllerød Town Hall, now renamed Rudersdal Town Hall, was built for the former Søllerød Municipality which in 2007 became part of Rudersdal Municipality, combining Søllerød and Birkerød. The building is located in Holte some 19 km to the north of Copenhagen's city centre. Designed by Danish architects Arne Jacobsen and Flemming Lassen, it was completed in 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flemming Lassen</span>

Flemming Lassen was a Modernist Danish architect and designer, working within the idiom of the International Style. Among his most notable buildings are libraries and cultural centres. He was the brother of Mogens Lassen, also an architect.

Jørgen Gammelgaard (1938–1991) was a Danish furniture designer who also designed lamps and silverware.

A bibliography of books and material related to the Architecture of Denmark:

Ørgreen Optics is a Danish eyewear company based in Copenhagen. They are most commonly known for their colour combinations, Danish design and Japanese-made titanium frames.

References

  1. http://www.rezidor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205430&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1431739&highlight= [ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 "Radisson SAS Royal Hotel". Emporis. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. McDowell, Edwin (12 August 1994). "COMPANY NEWS; Radisson and SAS Form Hotel Pact". The New York Times.
  4. https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2009/02/04/17716/0/en/RADISSON-SAS-HOTELS-AND-RESORTS-TO-CHANGE-THEIR-NAME-TO-RADISSON-BLU.htmlM [ dead link ]
  5. "Radisson Hotel Group Announces Radisson Collection Brand".
  6. Koukalová, Eliška (2020-08-31). "SAS Royal Hotel: Arne Jacobsen's masterpiece". DesignVille. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  7. 1 2 Michael Sheridan 2003: The SAS House: Jacobsen's Lost Gesamtkunstwerk, in: Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Arne Jacobsen. Absolutely Modern p44–49
  8. Jeff Chu: Happy Birthday, Arne Jacobsen in Time
  9. Christian Datz, Christof Kullmann, Martin Nicholas Kunz 2005: Copenhagen Architecture & Design, teNeues, ISBN   3-8327-9077-2. S. 134
  10. Jørgen Sestoft and Jørgen Hegner Christiansen. Guide to Danish Architecture: 1000 to 1960. Copenhagen: Arkitektens Forlag, 1991. 257

55°40′30″N12°33′47″E / 55.67500°N 12.56306°E / 55.67500; 12.56306