The School of Culture and Music and student residences are located at Konservatoriegrunden- the Conservatory Grounds- in Frederiksberg, Denmark. The grounds are a culture-historical area defined by the former iconic Radiohuset – the Radio House building – a canonical example of Danish Modernism designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen and inaugurated in 1945. Today, the Conservatory Grounds is a hidden gem with great urban potential, yet it lacks a sense of cohesion. Rather than designing one single building, the new School of Culture and Music is a campus of several smaller buildings connected by one common corridor, encouraging interactions between the artistic user groups.

The design of school is inspired by the former House of Radio itself, balancing strict lines and organic curves, conceived of in a homogeneous materiality, adapting the sculptural roofscapes, towers and lush gardens. The school will become a creative campus for film making, dance, art and music with a central green oasis in the dense city. A destination not only for students, teachers, and the residents of Frederiksberg, but also for the neighboring cultural institutions, the Royal Danish Academy of Music and media high school NEXT. With the project, Cobe composes a new cultural destination while liberating the full potential of the complex and historically significant site.

With the School of Culture and Music, the intention is to create a new identity and architectural expression rooted in the unique characteristics of the place – inspired by the iconic and historical neighbor, the former Radio House – while establishing an open environment and sense of cohesion that the space lacks today.

Transforming a hidden back alley into a central destination

The school and student residences attempt to weave the area together in a new and meaningful way. By embracing the site’s complexity- the various orientations of its existing buildings and the predominant building morphology on the site, it becomes one harmonious campus with a new central passageway weaving between the buildings.

Transforming the existing parking area into a green and welcoming urban space, the Conservatory Grounds will become a new and engaging destination in the city. Three courtyards define the heart of the new school, as informal meeting places not only for its students and faculty, but also for the neighbors and the residents of Frederiksberg.

The green courtyard is an informal and flexible gathering place for the school. Here the school’s activities can unfold, inviting the public to experience dance performances, exhibitions, concerts or other events.

An extension of the iconic Radio House

The design of the new School of Culture and Music and student residences is based on a thorough analysis of the former Radio House as an architectural and acoustic masterpiece. The balance between its rigid lines and soft curves, its homogeneous and tactile materiality, its sculptural and green roof landscapes, and the acoustic principles and use of wood inside. The new school is an extension and a reinterpretation of this unique place, the right kind of neighbor for the Royal Danish Academy of Music, the former Radio house.

The school and student residences are inspired the soft curved and sculptural roofscapes of the former Radio House. All roofs are specifically designed to create the best spatial, light, and acoustics conditions for an artistic purpose. Together, the new ensemble of buildings will showcase a unique urban identity with references to art and music.

The sand-colored stone panels of the original Radio House are the departure point for the new school’s facade design. By reinterpreting the existing stone jointing pattern, the school’s program is met by introducing openings for daylight and views to the city.

The Conservatory Grounds will be transformed into a lush oasis in Frederiksberg. Green facades with climbing plants will create a landscape with changing character and colors throughout seasons.

Multiple schools, one creative community

The school is designed to gather multiple schools into one creative community. As a flexible campus where all functions are facing the central green courtyard , the aim is to create a platform where the school’s different artistic directions can meet and enrich each other.