Entasis, the Greek word for tension, manifests itself in the practice’s work in what they see as a tension between ideas and physical construction. The building for them is a means of architectural expression, able to educate and manipulate thoughts and emotions, not just a functional shelter. Giving space priority over surface decoration they use light, texture, rhythm, acoustics and proportion to create vibrant spaces with the power to move the spirit.
The aim is ‘to give form to the Utopian vision of classic modern man’, and their work is firmly grounded in what has gone before, particularly Renaissance and Modernist architecture.

Selection of Projects, reverse chronological order:

Carlsberg - our city, Copenhagen, Denmark
2008-27


Spinderiet housing, Copenhagen, Denmark
2008


Kildeskovshallen, Gentofte, Denmark
2000


Zoo Entrance for the Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark
1996


Entasis is an internationally acclaimed small architectural practice keeping professional standards high. In 2006 they received national recognition with the ‘Eckersberg Medal’ and the ‘Margot & Thorvald Dreyers Prize’, both among the finest Danish destinctions. Their first building (the Zoo entrance) was awarded with the AIA Prize ‘Best Building in Europe 1998’. Since then most of their implemented work has received awards and recognition, and a couple of projects (‘Kildeskovshallen’ and ‘The Defence Academy’) have been nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Prize.

Winning the open international Carlsberg competition marks their latest achievement in a number of successful competition entries counting,
The entrance to the Zoological Gardens, Copenhagen, 1996
3 family houses for The Danish Arts Foundation, Vejle, 1998
‘Kildeskovshallen’, a new 50 m pool, Gentofte, 2000
The Defence Academy, new tuition facilities, Copenhagen, 2000
124 houses, a housing-cooperative in Trekroner, 2002
A new building for the Parish Council, Riga, 2003
‘Emaljehaven, social housing, Copenhagen NV, 2004
‘50+’, social housing in Ørestad, Copenhagen, 2005
The New Carlsberg City District, a 33 ha site in Copenhagen, 2007
‘Spinderiet’, social housing, Valby, 2008

A series of appointed work for private owners conclude the portfolio of the office.

From a humanistic perspective the office handles all scales of architecture (from doorknob to city planning) where the human scale and the wellbeing of man is the concern of any project. Christian and Signe Cold founded Entasis in 1996 as a professional architectural unit revering the presence of History, Humanism and the ability to move.



Danish Architects

Copenhagen Architecture



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Danish Buildings

Copenhagen Architects

Buildings / photos for the Entasis Architects page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Entasis arkitekter - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt

Website: www.entasis.dk