HARBOUR.KUNSTFOND

In 2003, the National Arts Foundation (Statens Kunstfond) launched a project focusing on the Danish harbour areas in light of multiple on-going transformations of waterfront areas from heavy industry, shipping and ferry traffic to new urban areas in several cities around the country. These changes resulted in empty areas, loss of jobs, and demographic changes in many cities – but also in new opportunities for urban transformation.

Based on a concept and template designed by the National Arts Foundation, a number of architects and designers were invited to create their vision for the future harbour areas and the possibilities for positive changes generated by the transformation processes already underway. Using stock photos each participant had to create a collage with their vision of the future harbour areas, which could then be compared afterwards.

Kollision was asked to work on the southern harbour areas in Copenhagen (Sydhavnen). We made five different visions of how the area could be used, while deliberately avoiding ‘the usual suspects’; expensive design apartments for the affluent. Our and other proposal was part of a travelling exhibition, touring the country to put some perspective on the plans underway for many of the harbour areas.