Set amongst open landscape and common land, Ørestad in Copenhagen is known for its expressive architecture. For Ørestad Church, Henning Larsen’s winning design offers another new architectural approach. 

Conjuring the sensation of standing under a canopy of trees in a forest, Henning Larsen’s design for Ørestad Church features wooden roof domes through which light cascades.

 The façade of the church is rough, like bark on a tree and changes character through the seasons and over time. The church is connected to its surroundings by a continuous brick floor of various tones and glazing, referencing fallen leaves, that rises to become benches, sitting niches and podiums – the path from the city and the common lead directly into the church. 

Designing a new church offers an opportunity to embed modern concepts of social sustainability into its core. Community consultation has informed the types of programming the building will house.

As well as a flexible church room that can be adapted to hold a range of services and ceremonies, the church also holds a chapel, a shielded courtyard, a church office, and informal cultural spaces that can be used for communal eating, small concerts, yoga, dancing, or lectures.

The inverted façade is activated on all sides creating an urban shelf with seating niches, a book exchange, a drinking fountain and games and chess tables.

Referencing cloister gardens, the church's building protects the courtyard but lets the light fall from above. The shady corners give way to a garden where visitors can sit for quiet reflection.

The landscape consists of grasses, herbaceous perennials and cherry trees inspired by the nearby Amager Fælled – a protected natural area. 

The winning proposal was delivered in collaboration with Platant and Ramboll. Henning Larsen brings decades of experience in designing churches and religious buildings in Denmark, including most recently Højvangen Church set to open in 2024, Herlev Hospital's Center for Contemplation and Faith, as well as Enghøj Church and Ringsted Communal Crematorium.  

Among proposals from Lundgaard & Tranberg, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Konsordium OOPEAA:WE, and Cobe a judging panel consisting of both professional judges and members of Islands Brygge Parish Council selected Henning Larsen as the winner of the competition.

Construction is expected to start in 2024, and the church will be consecrated in 2026.

Project: New parish church

Place: Copenhagen, Denmark

Year: 2022-2026

Size: 2100 m2

Client: Islands Brygges Parish

Sustainability: DGNB Gold

Architect: Henning Larsen

Landscape: Henning Larsen          

Engineer: Ramboll

Community Engagement: Platant

Renders: Vivid Vision