Our extension of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek turns 30
Celebrating Henning's legacy as 'the master of light,' the extension, completed in 1996, reflects the same appreciation of daylight that characterizes the historic buildings by Vilhelm Dahlerup and Hack Kampmann.
In the early 1990s, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek launched an architectural competition for an extension to the historic museum in Copenhagen, originally designed by architects Vilhelm Dahlerup in 1897 and Hack Kampmann in 1906. Our proposal was judged to be the most successful in integrating a new building into the historic surroundings.
The extension is connected to the museum's former conservation area and includes three new exhibition floors, housing the museum's painting collection among other works, as well as a rooftop terrace which offers views over Copenhagen and the museum.
Thirty years after the inauguration of the extension, the Glyptotek remains one of Denmark's most loved art museums.
On Henning’s birthday, August 20, the anniversary was celebrated alongside Henning's legacy, marked by the unveiling of a bust of Henning, donated by his wife, Lone Backe's, estate.
A legacy of light
Designed as a daylight museum, the Glyptotek has always placed architecture that promotes light at its center. The design of the connection complements the iconic dome of the museum's winter garden and the glass roof of the central hall with a marble staircase that plays with light and shadow.
While today artificial light is used in the museum in order to protect the artwork, daylight still plays a pivotal role in how the museum building is experienced.
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