A blueprint for urban utopia
Copenhagen is about to unveil a new, cool concept for modern metropolitan living. Aimed at global inhabitants with a mobile mindset, A-Huset is a luxury loft complex complete with a concierge service, a communal kayak and more, boasting the biggest rooftop waterfront terrace in Denmark’s capital.
Le Corbusier wrote about it. Buckminster Fuller toyed with the idea. Frank Lloyd Wright designed versions of it. Jean Prouvé was commissioned by the French government to create it. Archigram experimented with it and countless other architects and designers from Rem Koolhaas to Philippe Starck to Zaha Hadid continue to explore it. But it took Danish architect Carsten Holgaard and visionary developer Anders Moesgaard to bring a fab factor to contemporary co-habitation. Upping the ante with an elegant alternative for ex-pats and global locals in search of urban utopia.
A far cry from Wisteria Lane
A-Huset is a clever contradiction residing on the border between two worlds. It’s a new, six-floor luxury loft complex that retains the rawness of its roots as a mecca for underground artists reincarnated into an upscale designer dwelling. Located on the outskirts of Copenhagen in Islands Brygge, the area is considered a “potential zone”, where buildings are either being demolished or refurbished. Islands Brygge has been the focus of urban renewal for the past few years, witnessing numerous beautiful new apartments resurrected from abandoned properties. It’s a bit like the gentrification seen in Soho, New York years back, full of empty factories transformed into amazing lofts, art galleries and exclusive boutiques.
In a previous life, A-Huset was an alternative venue for artists, musicians and theatre performances, where the rooftop doubled as a head-banging club scene. In fact a book called “A Book” features the artists who worked in A-Huset from 2004 – 2006 in connection with an eclectic exhibition. Originally an office building built in the 60’s, aspects of its former industrial self remain, as seen in the revamped stairway, massive support columns, concrete ceilings and the rough, un-finished surroundings in the “hood”.
An oasis for ex-pats
But A-Huset was designed to be unpolished on purpose. Echoes of its artistic past are intended to remain, as haute bohemians and lifestyle-conscious urbanites form A-Huset’s A-list of target group tenants. Ex-pat professionals coming to Copenhagen will particularly appreciate the communal concierge concept, which includes a cleaning lady, a laundry service, a fitness center, a lounge area for drinks and private parties, a wine cellar, a communal car and even a kayak. Not to mention the mega rooftop for staging for all kinds of entertainment. It’s freedom and flexibility without the hustle and bustle of most metropolitan locations. And without the emotional isolation that often comes with being a foreigner, since A-Huset was conceived with a socializing in mind. It’s the opposite of suburbia and a far cry from Wisteria Lane depicted on “Desperate Housewives”, offering a multitude of amenities amidst the energetic ambience of a city.
A-Huset provides fabulous facilities without the usual difficulties. Not only will tenants enjoy all the modern conveniences, including the option of having their shirts ironed, they’ll absolutely appreciate the absence of mortgage fees, because all the apartments at A-Huset are rentals. Add to that the harbor bathing area nearby, the fact that it’s one metro stop away from the heart of Copenhagen and 15 fast minutes to the airport voted the best in the world, and you have a dream destination for international travelers and global Danes alike.
Privy to a panoramic ocean view
Artists, designer and anyone interested in aesthetics will appreciate the visual approach both inside and out, carefully constructed to address the needs for young power players living a global lifestyle. A-Huset’s distinctive A-shaped silhouette houses 192 flats designed with three types of living spaces to choose from. The “iPod” apartments are white all over. Meaning 80-90 square meters of white floors, white walls and white ceilings with only what you need and not what you don’t, partitioned by a white granite wall that supports an exclusive designer kitchen and a glass-walled bathroom. There’s the “New York Loft” style, an expansive 100 square meter open space for the bedroom, living area and kitchen. Featuring high, industrial ceilings and enormous floor-to-ceiling windows at each end of the flat, with a panoramic view of the canals on one side and the inner courtyard on the other. Then there’s the “Classic” style, consisting of 2 to 3 airy rooms totaling 100 square meters ideal for young families. And finally, 7 penthouse apartments equal in envy to any cosmopolitan city, replete with 120 to 140 sublime square meters of privacy. Plus an incomparable top-floor view of the Copenhagen skyline from sunrise to sunset.
Copenhagen itself is an appealing part of the package, having received international accolades as the #1 Most Livable City in the World by Monacle magazine last year, who also deemed it the Worlds Best Design City. It’s the #1 choice for living abroad in Europe in a recent survey by ECA International. After London, Paris and Berlin, Copenhagen is #4 in the Top 50 European Cities of the Future, the 5th most popular city in the world for international conferences. Even the Lonely Planet ranks Copenhagen as Scandinavia’s coolest capital.
A-Huset is a new, cool concept for living in a (con)temporary world. A hybrid idea of designer domiciles complete with an array of communal amenities. Offering the energy of an inner city amidst an open air ambience overlooking the Copenhagen waterfront. If you’re looking for urban utopia, you’ve just found it.
November 2010