A
The moment when crowed back---- Project Krudhuset PB71A
Name
Xinye Jin
Education degree
Kandidat
Fagfelt
Design
Institute
Architecture and Space
Program
Spatial Design - Architecture, Design and Interiors
Year
2026
The project transforms a gunpowder house into a future community cultural house, designed to serve the emerging communities and populations in its surrounding area. While meeting everyday functional needs, it also provides flexible workshop spaces to foster cultural exchange and promote sustainable development.
Introduction On Prags Boulevard which located in south of Copenhagen, stands a gunpowder house built in 1799.The area where this gunpowder house stands will be built as future urban space named Kløverkvarteret----The Clover Quarter. The project was lunched with the aim of preparing for the The Clover Quarter ,use its symbolic significance and historical value to establish it as part of the narrative of the community.
Krudhuset is translated into English as gunpowder house. Gunpowder houses served as storage facilities for gunpowder and weapons during wartime, playing a vital role in Copenhagen’s historical defences. The gunpowder house, which this project programme focuses on was formerly used by the Danish Navy, characterised by its red, steeply pitched roof and low external walls.
From a gunpowder house to a cultural house Since the Viking Age, social gatherings and festive celebrations have been an integral part of Danish culture.As the information given by the City of Copenhagen, Danish culture houses are local spaces set up to provide residents chances to meet, build, and shape their local community together.’
This project believes that respecting and continuing this culture is essential for the development of the new community, which not only strengthens the local character of the architecture but also imbues the buildings with a sense of cultural belonging. Also,the historical architectural features of the house itself make it part of the narrative of ‘The gunpowder houses on Amager’
Photos of the surrounding area
Mapping 1.0
Mapping 1.0
Mapping 1.0
This part include two drawing-----Drawing of the current situation and Drawing of the future
Drawing of the current situation This is a drawing of the surrounding area of the gunpowder house, including the camping area, construction area, storage areas, company buildings, green spaces, roads and traffic flow.Some areas are being temporarily leased out to facilitate cash flow. For example, the city camp area and the power equipment storage area will be relocated out of the area this year or in the coming years.
Drawing of the future After reviewed the project documentation for The clover quarter and other related developments, I developed this map illustrating what the area might look like once the new neighbourhood is completed, based on the plans outlined in the documents. The map largely follows the project proposals regarding residential areas, green spaces and transport routes, and demonstrates how the newneigh bourhood’s buildings will bring fresh urban vitality to the area.
Site location
surrounding area
.
.
project proposal
Mapping 2.0
Mapping 2.0
Mapping 2.0 The gunpowder house is currently owned by Skanska and is being used temporarily as a warehouse; it is not open to the public. Skanska has appointed a caretaker who is responsible for the building’s maintenance and day-to-day management, such as acting as the point of contact for surveys of the property required for this project. The building has two storeys, with a ground floor area of 270 m² and a first floor area of 207 m². (Interior photographs are shown below.) As can be seen in the photographs, the interior contains a large quantity and wide variety of items.
I first flattened these large quantities of goods, which helped to record the situation on site and made it easier to count the number of items.I gave each object a name and a number, and this chart compiles all the object names I could identify. As a result, the mapping of the mess is developed.
.
.
A wide variety of items’ as ‘mess’
A wide variety of items’ as ‘mess’
A wide variety of items’ as ‘mess’ I have found the word ‘mess’todescribe the impression these items give. ‘acondition of disorder and confusion, or something in that condition’
The meaning of mess has changed a lot of times during the Middle English period, the word ‘mess’ was spelled ‘mes’ and primarily referred to food. It was a far cry from the modern understanding of ‘chaos’ or ‘disorder’; at that time, it referred to a portion of a meal, a dish within a meal, or a serving of a prepared dish. It has more meaning such as a large public room where people have their meals . It shows‘mess’ doesindeed mean disorder or chaos, but it also has another meaning: a gathering of people eating together. I tend to interpret it as the disorderly traces left behind after such a gathering.
By meeting the proposal of this project,the mess will active as its original meaning in the cafe and will be take care as the part of the house.
Design overview
Overview The ground floor set as a café, open to all. In addition to serving as a venue for socialising and leisure, it provides employment opportunities for the new community and get some income for supporting the cultural house’s operations.
The first floor will be configured as a flexible workshop space where users can not only engage in creative activities but also participate in or organise various short-term courses, lectures and other temporary events, thereby fostering daily social interaction and fulfilling the vision of cultural exchange.
Taking advantage of the high, steeply pitched roof of the gunpowder house, a loft area was constructed. The newly constructed second floor serves as a more private space, attached to the gunpowder house's original beams.
New floor plan for the gunpowder house
Rendering for the GF and 1F
.
.
The Power of the Original Structure
The Power of the Original Structure
The Power of the Original Structure The strength of the original structure originated from what I discovered during the model-making process.
The design of the new staircase is a recombination of the original structure. I used three cut beams as supports for the staircase: the original floorboards were laid down and recut to serve as new barriers. I use some newtimbers to make the staircase more stable and it make a contract with the old one. Onthe roof part, I tend installed new interior paneling, positioned precisely within the area that exposes the roof structure. The white paneling accentuates the deep color of the wood structure and the overall rhythm of the space.
Mess bank----1F There are a lot of 'mess' on the first floor, but I drew inspiration from the shelves and brown wooden crates to create this material bank system.
It includes suspende shelves , mesh boxes, and corner mesh boxes. Suspende shelves I got inspiration from the information gathered during the mapping. The shelves and brown wooden crates identified in the mapping are not only useful for storage but also serve to divide the space. Mesh boxes usually appear with the suspended shelves or it will serve as the fence on the first floor. Corner mesh boxes usually appear in the corner between the roof and floor. They improve the utilization rate of corner space.
The model---- In this project, I created a 1:20 section model. It showcases the original building's timber structure, including the texture of the wooden columns, beams, and floors, which the scheme aims to preserve, and combines this with the design concepts in the scheme, including the roof finish, the glass floor installation, and the concept of a mess bank.
Other details ---- The section drawing showcases more details of the project, such as the treatment of native plants and animals around the house, and the staffing arrangements for the cultural house.
Skylights and light in the space(rendering)
Epilogue
Epilogue
Epilogue The project involved a detailed mapping of the existing conditions and identified areas where existing ‘mess’couldberepurposed in the future. Guided by a philosophy of respecting the original building, new designs were developed for spatial functions, interior circulation, and the introduction of skylights and natural light. During the design process, I discovered the potential inherent in this ‘mess’andfounditfascinating to give new frameworks and definitions to objects that had already been used. In the renovation of the original building, a balance was struck between respect for the existing structure and innovation within this project.
We live in an era of constant renewal and iteration, which not only requires us to cherish the legacy left by previous generations but also to look towards future possibilities
The Royal Danish Academy supports the Sustainable Development Goals
Since 2017 the Royal Danish Academy has worked with the Sustainable Development Goals. This is reflected in our research, our teaching and in our students’ projects. This project relates to the following UN goal(-s)
