Erik Møllers Tegnestue - The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College

Erik Møllers Tegnestue
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College
The Library
Copenhagen, Denmark

Thirty years after the main building for the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College in Copenhagen, Denmark, was finished in 1858, the school already lacked space. The architect, M.G. Bindesbøll, had organized the Agricultural College complex like a country manor with a two-story main building and adjacent one-story wings.

Photo: Jens Lindhe

An additional wing, designed by architect Gnudtzmann, was built in 1892 to serve as the main building. This addition is symmetrical in relation to the existing buildings, and is on the same axis as the old complex. In 1918, architects Martin and Chresten Borch designed a four-story library connected to the corner building. They placed a small observatory on top of the new building's stair tower. During the 1980's, when the library again needed enlarging, it was determined that the Borchs' old building could no longer satisfy the requirements of a modern library. It was torn down and replaced by a more functional building designed by Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS, and completed in 1995.

Photo: Jens Lindhe

The main building houses the library administrative facilities while the public areas for the College Library are located in the new building. It is square in plan with two stories above grade and two below. The building is connected to the old complex by a glass arcade.

Photo: Jens Lindhe

The new building harmonizes with the surroundings in its modular rhythm and materials. The facades are yellow brick with a band of blue-glazed brick along the window ledges. The roofing is zinc. The interior of the library is organized around a central two-story space where the circulation counter is located. From here there is a clear view of the bookshelves and magazine area.

Photo: Jens Lindhe

A stairway leads to the upper floor and to the open storage area in the upper basement. A bay facing the garden has a reading area with a view of large trees. The entrance is graced with a porcelain tile wall mural by artist Lin Utzon.
Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS also designed Building 2-74 for the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College, completed in March 2000, that will be our next feature.

Drawing courtesy Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS
Ground Level Plan

Drawing courtesy Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS
Cross Section

Area: 5,800 square meters
Client: Ministry of Education, Building Department

Architect: Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS
Partners in charge:
Architects MAA Erik Møller
Søren Larsen
Jens Fredslund, Royal Inspector
Project Team:
P.C. Nielsen (Project Architect)
Laurits Holm
Klaus Maar,
Per Hilbert
Jan Koed
Almuth Holm
Mette Kyed
Anders Jørgen Holck (Construction Manager)

Engineers: Moe and Brødsgaard A/S
Landscape Architect: Andreas Bruun
Art Work: Lin Utzon

November 29, 2000

Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS arcspace features





				Features
		Erik Møllers Tegnestue The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College The Library Copenhagen, Denmark Thirty years after the main building for the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College in Copenhagen, Denmark, was finished in 1858, the school already lacked space. The architect, M.G. Bindesbøll, had organized the Agricultural College complex like a country manor with a two-story main building and adjacent one-story wings. Photo: Jens Lindhe An additional wing, designed by architect Gnudtzmann, was built in 1892 to serve as the main building. This addition is symmetrical in relation to the existing buildings, and is on the same axis as the old complex. In 1918, architects Martin and Chresten Borch designed a four-story library connected to the corner building. They placed a small observatory on top of the new building's stair tower. During the 1980's, when the library again needed enlarging, it was determined that the Borchs' old building could no longer satisfy the requirements of a modern library. It was torn down and replaced by a more functional building designed by Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS, and completed in 1995. Photo: Jens Lindhe The main building houses the library administrative facilities while the public areas for the College Library are located in the new building. It is square in plan with two stories above grade and two below. The building is connected to the old complex by a glass arcade. Photo: Jens Lindhe The new building harmonizes with the surroundings in its modular rhythm and materials. The facades are yellow brick with a band of blue-glazed brick along the window ledges. The roofing is zinc. The interior of the library is organized around a central two-story space where the circulation counter is located. From here there is a clear view of the bookshelves and magazine area. Photo: Jens Lindhe A stairway leads to the upper floor and to the open storage area in the upper basement. A bay facing the garden has a reading area with a view of large trees. The entrance is graced with a porcelain tile wall mural by artist Lin Utzon. Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS also designed Building 2-74 for the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College, completed in March 2000, that will be our next feature. Drawing courtesy Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS Ground Level Plan Drawing courtesy Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS Cross Section Area: 5,800 square meters Client: Ministry of Education, Building Department Architect: Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS Partners in charge: Architects MAA Erik Møller Søren Larsen Jens Fredslund, Royal Inspector Project Team: P.C. Nielsen (Project Architect) Laurits Holm Klaus Maar, Per Hilbert Jan Koed Almuth Holm Mette Kyed Anders Jørgen Holck (Construction Manager) Engineers: Moe and Brødsgaard A/S Landscape Architect: Andreas Bruun Art Work: Lin Utzon November 29, 2000 Erik Møllers Tegnestue AS arcspace features