Baagasvard Church, Denmark
Designed by Jorn Utzon (1973-76).
The main entrance welcomes visitors in a delightfully understated way. As I enter through the main door I step into a world where the focus is solely inward and upward.
The way visitors are guided through the building is a masterclass in the use of light and form. I turn right after entering the entrance lobby, possibly as this is the only option but mostly because my eyes are drawn immediately upwards towards the light streaming in through the ceiling. And where my eyes move, my feet me follow.
At the end of the first corridor I am presented with two options. Either I can turn right into a similar corridor (as the one I have just walked along) or I can turn left through the open door. The corridor has no sign of a final destination – just closed doors and a seemingly dead end. The open door frames a view through an initial low and dark passage, revealing signs of a gathering place beyond as indicated by the change of materials from pale grey and off white to a rich warm wood.
Lowering and darkening the passageway between the corridor and the main body of the church both signifies the need to focus now and quieten down (if one wasn’t already) as well as enhancing the contrast and the dramatic impact as I move through and glimpse the curved ceiling in all it’s glory. Everything before has been cool and angular. Here we are greeted by elements of softness warmth and an altar, to let us know we have arrived.
This is the pinnacle space – the crescendo. I am in no doubt that I have arrived at the heart of the church. It’s very clear where I should sit, if I was part of the congregation, as well as where my focus needs to be on the altar with it’s intricate yet understated screens. Yet there is so much to see here that my eye can’t keep still. This is a very internal world (no views of outside) yet I am able to see the passing of time and the day as the sun moves through the space from dawn to dusk.
The soft curving ceiling frames the end wall where the clever use of a double skin wall creates a place apart from the main volume in the first floor viewing gallery (above the dark passageway) yet still enables the congregation to feel connected to what is happening below. The windows in the ceiling high above flood this space between the walls with light (just as they had in the entrance corridors) and again the light draws my gaze upward and invites me to visit.
Attention to detail and choosing quality materials is evident throughout. I particularly enjoyed the way the order of service is displayed.
The contrast of the dark metal handrail against the white walls tells me that I am welcome to use these stairs – they are public.
The warm wooden benches indicate where I am welcome to sit.
The brass collection plate adds warmth and colour to the space – it’s reflective surface picking it out against the muted wooden frame. It is just another example of the quality of the detail design.
I do love a well designed toilet space! It tells me that the Architect thought about every aspect of the building design. Here I am offered a private view of the curved ceiling which is gently lit by the diffuse light entering through the wooden slatted window wall.
The church is a relatively short train ride (20 minutes ish) from Copenhagen central station, and I would encourage anyone who enjoys architecture to make the trip, even if your time is limited in Copenhagen. Photographs can never really capture what it feels like in a space, they can only hint and entice. This is a building which needs to be visited. It’s an experience that enriched my soul. I think beauty does that. And this is a sublime piece – a true demonstration of the ‘Art of Architecture’!
