Hotel Hans bridges two very different parts of Copenhagen

Danish studio Norrøn Architects designed the interior of Hotel Hans, which straddles two Copenhagen neighbourhoods, by blending the greenery of Frederiksberg with Nørrebro's industrial vibe.

Located where the two central Copenhagen neighbourhoods meet, Hotel Hans was envisioned as "a dialogue," the architects said.

"We approached Hotel Hans as a bridge between two very different parts of Copenhagen," Norrøn Architects co-founder Poul Høilund told Dezeen.

"Rather than blending the identities of Nørrebro and Frederiksberg into one neutral expression, we wanted the hotel to reflect both. The concept is built around a dialogue between raw and refined, urban and green, energetic and calm."

The studio was chosen to create the interior of the 91-room hotel, which is located inside a building from 1900, by owner Brøchner Hotels.

It decided to work with a variety of materials, including terrazzo and polished steel, to represent the two different neighbourhoods – the industrial Nørrebro and the more upmarket and historic Frederiksberg.

The lobby side faces Nørrebro and features bespoke light fixtures that were informed by urban street lamps and vintage car headlights.

Here, Norrøn Architects also added sculptural wall elements that were made from aluminium to reflect the motion from the street.

"On the Nørrebro side, we used more industrial and robust materials such as darker terrazzo, aluminium, steel, and grey tones to mirror the street life and urban energy," Høilund said.

The lobby bar functions as a workspace and cafe in the daytime and turns into a cocktail bar in the evening. The ground floor also houses the BOLO restaurant, which focuses on Mediterranean-style food.

The side of Hans Hotel that faces Frederiksberg houses a courtyard, and the studio wanted this part of the hotel to feel like an extension of the outdoor space.

"On the Frederiksberg side, the palette becomes richer and more elegant, with deep green terrazzo, dark wood, soft textiles, and polished steel, referencing historic apartments and the area's strong connection to greenery," Høilund explained.

The courtyard itself features a large sculpture by artist duo Petterson & Hein, which also designed bespoke tables for Hotel Hans.

It is one example of the many craftsmanship details that Norrøn Architects added to the interior of the new hotel.

"We wanted the hotel to feel personal and tactile rather than anonymous," Høilund said.

"By designing bespoke furniture, lighting, and architectural elements, we could create a stronger connection to the building's history and to Copenhagen's tradition of well-crafted interiors, while still expressing it in a contemporary way."

Green hues were used throughout the hotel, including in the restaurant and the all-green bedrooms.

The studio used Frederiksberg green, a local colour that features in many of that area's historic interiors.

"It gave the project a strong sense of place and a timeless quality," Høilund said. "From there, we added softer green tones to create variation and calm."

"Green also acts as a linking element in the hotel, reinforcing the connection to the courtyard and greenery on the Frederiksberg side while softening the more industrial character of the Nørrebro side," he continued.

Other recent hospitality openings in Copenhagen include a restaurant designed to mimic a "home dining" experience and a hotel designed by furniture brand &Tradition.

The photography is by Ed Gumuchian.

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