In Fælledby, you don’t live in nature. You live with nature.

Fælledby Neighborhood C

20-017

Info

Description

Tons of native species
The courtyards revolve around three things: nature, nature, and more nature. These are not your typical Copenhagen courtyards— The planting of native flora is intended to support wildlife rather than serve traditional courtyard functions. The courtyards open out toward the landscape, inviting nature right into the heart of the development. Local birds, bats, and insects should feel at home here, as each courtyard will be planted with species native to Amager Fælled. One courtyard will feature a small grove, another a thicket of white-blossoming shrubs with berries for the birds, while a third will become a semi-natural grassland. Through these efforts, we invite biodiversity to flourish.

Focus on Community
Since the courtyards are reserved for plants and wildlife, many of their traditional functions are moved into the shared public spaces. Here, courtyard and urban space meet—bringing residents together and fostering a strong sense of community. This is where you’ll find the everyday life typically seen in classic Copenhagen courtyards—from local Fastelavn celebrations and sunbathing to play. It’s a whole new kind of urban space in Copenhagen, inspired by the Kartoffelrækkerne, where neighbors gather for shared dinners right out in the street.

At the Water Plaza, one of these shared public spaces, a wide paved promenade along a water basin sets the stage for local gatherings and vibrant urban life. Trees and rain beds add character, support rainwater infiltration, and break up the space with shaded areas. Rainwater is managed on the surface, creating temporary new blue aesthetics for residents to enjoy.

Timber Construction and Upcycle
Timber serves as the primary structural material in Fælledby, where the buildings feature a mix of facades made from wood, brick, steel, and reclaimed materials. The bicycle sheds are built using reclaimed wood from the hostel that once stood here. In the courtyards and public spaces, granite benches and blocks from around Copenhagen are being reused, while recycled cobblestones and reclaimed bricks make up a significant part of the district’s paving.

There has been significant public protest against Fælledby. These protests have helped sharpen the project's sustainability profile, and we now feel confident that it will make a positive contribution to the site. Among other initiatives, we engaged in a long process with a nature advisory board consisting of biologists, where we discussed how to enhance biodiversity and bring it into the courtyards—right up to the buildings themselves.

1:1 Landskab took on the project because the developer has a very high level of ambition when it comes to sustainability and biodiversity.

Jacob Kamp, Director of Design

The public spaces serve both practical purposes and moments of celebration. This is where residents come home, park their bikes, and dispose of their waste. But it’s also a place to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee while the kids play ball. On weekends, the space can be closed off and transformed into a street party.

Jacob Kamp, Director of Design