Storing Børsen
with Peter Gustafson & Simon Bergström
Børsen Copenhagen has been reduced to rubble. The project at Hedmanska proposes an architectural intervention that poetically advocates for the reuse of history — in the form of the bricks of Børsen. The proposal focuses on depleted materials, the transportation of resources, and construction with installation in summer and storage during winter. The project takes advantage of the mineral character of the Hedmanska courtyard. Historical bricks are used to integrate the intervention into a historical context. Building with history, the Børsen pavilion becomes the latest addition in a genealogy of historic buildings on the site.
The architecture, in its simplicity, appears as a flexible rather than a fixed element. A wreath of bricks stretches around the entire perimeter of the plot. By stacking bricks and locking them with corrugated metal, wire, and chain, a rigid structure is created with dimensions that allow seating. The low wall simultaneously functions as barrier. Depending on whether it is open or closed, the pavilion can be used for different purposes.
When an important building dies, it requires a dignified farewell and a place to rest. We propose a tombstone for Børsen, built from the bricks of its ruin. The construction of its grave marks a final goodbye to the historical landmark.
