A model for future living and sustainable urban living, Copenhagen is an increasingly popular destination. Denmark’s compact capital is home to a growing variety of diverse hotels that, contrary to the perception of Scandinavian design as sober and understated, have emerged as bold, luxurious and even cheeky pieces. Confirming the often diluted concept of hygge – the Danish and Norwegian concept of taking time out of the daily rush to care for ourselves and others – is the newly opened 1 Hotel Copenhagen. 282-key retreat-in-the-city designed comprehensively by internationally recognized practice Norm Architects keeping in mind a balance of natural elements and human presence.
In true adaptive reuse fashion, one that increasingly defines Scandinavian architecture and design, the tranquil setting makes clever use of a 1930s building, ironically one with elaborate neoclassical and neo-baroque exterior details. Step inside, though, and you’re quickly transported away from the hustle and bustle of this dense, historically rooted metropolis.
“The lively streetscape gives way to a warm and calm atmosphere,” the company describes in a statement. “A sweeping reclaimed wood staircase leads up from street level, its sculptural form accompanied by vibrant greenery that grows through the space like a slow and steady breath.” The accommodations to which this central yet unassuming feature leads visitors are retreats from home perched above the city’s red, green and black tiled roofs. These lodges are fully equipped with kitchenettes and spacious private bathrooms.
“The spaces (are) shaped by natural materials, generous light and elegant softness,” adds the company. “Rooms unfold in soft layers, where raw tactile contact meets refined comfort, and where every transition is designed to support a calm, grounded way of being—allowing guests to feel at home, connected, and cared for.”
A muted palette of natural materials unites both refined and rough-hewn components. Subtle variations in texture and pattern ensure these home spaces don’t become monotonous, especially as natural light filters through. Plush yet roomy furnishings—a little more generous than the proportions typically found in Danish Midcentury Modern design—evoke a sense of effortless comfort, encouraging guests to truly put down their phones and fully relax.
The skillful deployment of the full wall curtain helps achieve this encapsulating effect. The various functions of an environment approaching the home are gently sequenced through the use of translucent glass partitions. Some rooms open onto private terraces, bringing city life back into the equation, but from an elevated vantage point. Cleverly enclosed but not stuffy, the bathrooms are grounded by brick flooring, an earthy feature that contrasts with sleek blackened fixtures and trim.
“In the rooms, many elements are built directly into the architecture – crafted in stone and wood to form a calm, cohesive backdrop. These built-in details allow the spaces to feel purposeful, bringing a sense of permanence while letting the natural materials define the experience.”
The common areas – a feature rarely seen in Copenhagen hotels of this scale – are holistically designed and treated with corresponding care. In these spaces the natural elements are not just accents but equally important protagonists. The reception area, with ample seating for guests to relax before heading out into the capital, gives way to a lush courtyard garden. The vestibules are imbued with an even more relaxing atmosphere. Allowing the surfaces of the tree trunks to speak for themselves, decoration is kept to a minimum. What appears to be woven natural fiber tapestry literally and conceptually encapsulates the entire design of the hotel.
In layout and layered materiality, 1 Hotel Copenhagen not only recedes from the urban fabric, but straddles a line between past and present.
What: 1 Hotel Copenhagen
Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
How many: $294 per night
Design drawings: A sanctuary within the city that affirms the potential of hygge design by carefully incorporating natural materials and facilitating a more peaceful guest experience.
Make a reservation: 1 Hotel Copenhagen
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Photo by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Karl Tranberg Knudsen.
