Copenhagen Islands

The project introduces a new archetype of urban space to the city; a “parkipelago” of floating islands, open and free to be used by an increasing number of boaters, fishermen, kayakers, stargazers and swimmers. 

The islands reintroduce wilderness and whimsey to the rapidly gentrifying harbour with endemic plants, trees and grasses above and anchor points below providing a habitat for birds and insects, seaweeds, fish and molluscs. the islands bring a constantly changing, green space into the centre of the city. The project also hints at a new type of climate resilient urbanism, inherently flexible in its use and only using sustainably sourced and recycled materials.

The islands will be constructed by hand in the boatbuilding yards in the south habour of Copenhagen using traditional wooden boat building techniques and will be moved seasonally between under utilised and newly developed parts of the harbour, catalysing new life and activity.

Copenhagen Islands was awarded the taipei international design awards for public space and the award for social design, It was a finalist in the Beazley design prize at the London Design Museum and was a finalist in the Danish Design Prize.