Hans Christian Hansen

The seminar on building documentation is dedicated to the documentation and analysis of the works of Hans Christian Hansen (1901–1978), which were created between the late 1930s and early 1970s under the conditions of the Danish welfare state. 

As a project manager in the office of Copenhagen's city architect, Hansen played a key role in shaping the city's architectural landscape. His career coincided with a period of social change in which architecture was increasingly seen as a means of improving quality of life. Hansen engaged deeply with the requirements of social housing, schools, and public buildings, significantly shaping the architectural culture of the Danish capital. 

The aim of the seminar is to bring visibility to the work of this little-known yet influential Danish architect – a body of work distinguished by exceptional material and tectonic qualities, remarkable within its geographical, historical, and cultural context. Documenting his buildings is valuable not only from an architectural-historical perspective but also of current relevance, as many of these structures are now in need of renovation or even at risk of demolition. 

Hans Christian Hansen designed his works in an era initially marked by material shortages and later by the introduction of new industrial building materials. Moreover, his architecture was closely tied to the social and political ideals of the Danish welfare state, particularly within Copenhagen’s municipal context. Despite limited resources, he succeeded in creating functional and aesthetically refined buildings. Hansen studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he received a solid education in classical architecture while simultaneously developing an interest in the modern movement. He was strongly influenced by functionalist principles, which he combined with a deep understanding of traditional building materials and craftsmanship. Particularly significant was his innovative use of concrete, brick, and wood, which he combined and processed in novel ways. 

Hansen demonstrated a high degree of creativity and innovation in handling simple, often raw materials as well as standardized building elements. His construction techniques are characterized by inventive and authentic connections that interpret the local context in a progressive yet profoundly rooted manner. His works deserve to be studied, documented, and preserved, as they represent an important chapter in Danish architectural history.

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Winter semester 2024 - 2025