A Patchwork of Possibility: House14a in Copenhagen by Pihlmann Architects.

Photography: Hampus Berndtson.

Architecture involves a constant state of transformation and translation. Whether it be conceptual or physical, these evolutions generate interest and intrigue and provide tangible touchstones indicating where and even when a space came into its own. Such is the nature of House 14a in Copenhagen by Pihlmann Architects, a patchwork of what was, what is and what will be.

Spread across two storeys, this 166 square-metre home was originally built in 1951, and whilst it carries a certain Danish farmhouse charm, dusted with that Copenhagen cool we all know and love, it is also filled with eclectic and unexpected furniture and details that promise exploration and excitement around every corner.

The exterior brickwork offers a sturdy and reliable aesthetic, with large Danish barn doors and windows inserted into the masonry in a composition rather reminiscent of De Stijl. A moment of intrigue comes about as we see the expansive kitchen window expose the inner workings of the plumbing, a services exposure not often seen this side of the Pompidou. Another fun moment includes the unhosted brick lintels inserted between courses, whether a remnant of the existing 1950s home or a cheeky play by the architect (not unexpected given the excitement that is about to follow).

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Material collage around the fireplace. Sketch courtesy of Pihlmann Architects.

Once inside, it’s a total deja vu of materials and references, as we see less robust versions of the same textures and patterns altered, translated and repeated throughout. The patchwork timber floor offers up varying textures and grains, with puzzle piece inserts and detailing that sparks quite a bit of joy.

The interior brickwork is clean, a warmer take on that of the exterior, and introduces yet another layer of play as engineering brick faces are slotted in between the regular, alternating the orientations and textures of the masonry work. Horizontal interventions cut through vertical elements such as the fireplace and adjacent walls, forming a collage of consistencies and characteristics made up of timber, brick, steel and stone. These junctions and slices make up a Jenga-tower of textures, exposing the layers and materials behind the building.

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Upstairs, the brick and plywood start to push and pull, and we see, once again, the play on orientations, styles and textures of bricks, most notably alongside the light streaming in from the central skylight above the stairs and in the bathroom, and the little ply-window next to the study, that opens up to look back downstairs.

The plywood grains are played off against each other, fixed in varying sizes to the ceiling and plastered next to the concrete walls. The patchwork approach makes an appearance again, and bleeds through to the flooring as it switches to a herringbone pattern, first seen downstairs. There are moments in which the house resembles an in-progress, under-construction building site, but it rather seems like that was the intention. With an openness to change and growth and a constant play between materials, this contemporary cottage in Copenhagen offers something entirely different in its quilt of materials, and the result is very much cosy-cool.

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[Images courtesy of Pihlmann Architects. Photography by Hampus Berndtson.]