BUEN (THE ARCH)
The BUEN property attracts attention as the “floating” structure that bridges Vester Farimagsgade, close to the central station. BUEN actually consists of four buildings that together create a special big-city vibe you don’t really find elsewhere in Copenhagen.
On one side, there is a big neon sign encouraging people to drink milk, on the other there is an odd little shoe shop perpetually having a clearance sale. This is the usual first-hand impression of BUEN. However, it can also be seen as one of Copenhagen’s most underestimated buildings, lining – and spanning – Vester Farimagsgade where it meets Vesterbrogade. BUEN is unavoidable and iconic, partly because you literally can’t get around it.
Big Thoughts, Big Building
BUEN was built in the period 1952–1956 by architects Thorvald Dreyer, Ib Lunding and Allan Christensen. The aim was to create a brand new structure to serve as a grand gateway to the city. While there has been talk recently of covering the openings to the sub-surface railway tracks that slice through Copenhagen, it’s actually not a new idea. Back in the 50s there was also talk of covering the section between BUEN and Central Station. Obviously, this did not come to pass, with the exception of the section where BUEN stands today. In fact, the basement of the building is even designed to include space for stairs that could lead up to the building from a future underground station.
Overview
- Built 1956
Who
Architect
- Allan Christensen
- Ib Lunding
- Thorvald Dreyer
Where
Place
- Copenhagen, Inner City
Address
