Danmarks Nationalbank is the central bank of Denmark and this building, its headquarters, was designed by Arne Jacobsen, in collaboration with Hans Dissing and Otto Weitling.
Two of the facades of the building are made of stone and two of glass. The end wall and the facade wall are covered with light, grey-toned Porsgrunn marble, named after the town near the Norwegian quarry. The glass curtain-wall varies widely in appearance depending on the weather and time of day.
We walked all around the building trying to find an entrance and came upon a modest, almost square cavern in the wall of the base of the building.
When I went inside the lobby I tried to take a photograph but was told that 'this is a bank, and for security reasons, photography is not allowed', so I have downloaded this photograph.
The lobby is almost 20 metres high, and at its other end a sculptural steel staircase serves the six floors to which the lobby provides access. It is a stunning space - the height is a surprise. Narrow vertical openings allow a play of daylight to the space, emphasising the simple choice of materials.
Five tapestries woven by Kim Naver provide red and yellow colour tones in contrast to the subdued colours of the lobby.
There are also two interior courtyards in the middle of the tall building whose main purpose is to serve as lightwells for the offices surrounding them as well as being the only view from the interior.
The architectural treatment of the two courtyards uses stone, water and plants as the common materials. The largest, earliest courtyard is called Arne's Garden as it was designed by Arne Jacobsen: it comprises a composition of low, semi-circular concrete drums that serve as beds for plants and four pools. The second smaller courtyard is deep within the building at first-floor level and is therefore dark and is constructed as a rock garden with five mirror pools with waterlilies and goldfish.
Source: The bank's website.
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