Byens hus

Byens Hus at Stændertorvet in Roskilde is a meeting place for citizens. It is housed in two renovated buildings from 1880-1884 with high preservation value: the old town hall designed by O.P. Momme and the former Duebrødre Hospital by architect J.D. Herholdt.

A HOUSE WITH CLEAR IDENTITY AND MANY ACTIVITIES

Byens Hus provides a framework for a wide range of educational, cultural, and democratic activities and houses a restaurant that contributes to life in the city center. Citizens, city stakeholders, and politicians have created an overarching vision with four main themes that outline the house’s profile and identity: Outpost, a permanent public meeting, a catalyst for urban life, and a house for students.

THE TASK

Cornelius Vöge developed a vision proposal with input from a broad circle of future users, as well as an overall plan for the renovation of the existing buildings for new uses, including tourist information, a restaurant/cafe, an auditorium, and exhibition areas in the two buildings.

Cornelius Vöge was responsible for the renovation of the town hall. The impressive council chamber from 1884, with its faux gilded leather wallpaper painted with gold leaf, remains unchanged, but in the project, new ventilation has been installed above the hall. Under the town hall chamber, a restaurant and kitchen have been established on the town hall’s elevated ground floor with a view over Stændertorvet.

Outside, with respect for the old buildings, new entrance areas and signage have been carefully created for both buildings. Corten steel has been used as the simple material that effectively binds the two houses together.