ABOUT THE HOUSES
About Fredensborghusene
Fredensborghusene is a housing complex with senior residences for Danes returning home, located in scenic surroundings close to Fredensborg Castle. The houses were designed by the internationally renowned Danish architect Jørn Utzon (1918-2008), who also designed the Sydney Opera House.
The independent institution (DSI) Fredensborghusene was founded by Danes Worldwide to create a home for Danes who might find it difficult to return after many years abroad. The residents thus share the experience of having been expatriates. With the collective thinking behind the houses, Jørn Utzon was ahead of his time. The inspiration was drawn from private “social clubs” abroad, where people meet and eat together while cultivating a sense of community with like-minded people in a place that fosters inclusivness.
- Designed by Jørn Utzon
- Built in 1962-63
- Listed in 1987
- Utzon Museum opened in 2021
Film about the collective housing
More about the residences
Danes Worldwide behind one of the most significant housing projects of the 1960s
Danes Worldwide founded the independent institution (DSI) Fredensborghusene with the aim of building a collective housing complex for Danes returning home.
It was on the initiative of the association's first administrative director, Albert Kamp, that the idea for the development was drawn up, together with the chairman, civil engineer Jørgen Saxild from Kampsax A/S, and Supreme Court lawyer Valdemar Hvidt. With financial support from friends of the association and engineer Jørgen Saxild, the necessary capital for the development was raised. The idea was announced to the association's members in 1957 and was completed on April 9th, 1964.
Fredensborghusene have been called both The Hilly Ground (Bakkedraget) and The Terraces (Terrasserne), as shown on a postage stamp from 2002, but are commonly referred to as “Fredensborghusene”.
As one of the most significant housing projects of its time, Fredensborghusene were declared worthy of preservation and were listed as protected buildings in 1987.
“The Fredensborg Houses are our guarantee of a meaningful retirement”
- Knud Ove Pedersen, resident
Board & administration of Fredensborghusene
The board of Fredensborghusene consists of:
- Jacob Saxild, chair (appointed by Danes Worldwide)
- Leif Jensen, vice-chair (appointed by Danes Worldwide)
- Susanne Østergaard Lundby (appointed by Danes Worldwide)
- Lars Himmer (appointed by Danes Worldwide)
- Jette Møller Botes (appointed by Danes Worldwide from among the residents of Fredensborghusene)
- Jytte Therkildsen (appointed by Frembo)
- Vivian Barnekow (appointed by the residents of Fredensborghusene).
The administration of Fredensborghusene is handled by:
- Pál Jauernik, Head of Administration.
Fredensborghusene is a member of the association Frembo, which since 1954 has worked to ensure healthy, attractive and sustainable collective housing and nursing homes.
Utzon Museum Fredensborg opened its doors in 2021 with support from Realdania
Utzon Museum Fredensborg opened in 2021. The idea behind the museum was to educate visitors about the world-renowned Danish architect Jørn Utzon and his important contribution to Danish building culture.
"The Fredensborg Houses are one of Jørn Utzon's finest residential buildings and, for over 60 years, have also provided a framework for a community of senior citizens that has been ahead of its time in many ways. We are delighted to be able to preserve an architectural masterpiece while also promoting important Danish building culture," said Henrik Lund, project manager at Realdania, which has supported the establishment of the museum.
What makes the Utzon Museum unique is that the actual object is the building itself and the appearance and spirit of the place. Volunteer residents show visitors around and give lectures.
Utzon's courtyard houses are now a textbook example for architects
Danish architect Jørn Utzon (1918-2008) is probably best known for the Sydney Opera House. It was therefore something of a scoop for posterity when, after returning from Sydney, he agreed to design the unique courtyard houses that today make up the Fredensborghusene and stand as a textbook example for architects.
The Roman houses in Helsingør served as a model for the Fredensborghusene, with inspiration drawn from Chinese and Japanese building culture. The courtyard houses with their characteristic jagged yellow walls were built to blend discreetly into the surrounding nature. With his collective housing, Jørn Utzon demonstrated a unique understanding of how to create a refined balance between community and privacy.
For Jørn Utzon, the overall goal of his architecture was always to create for and with people: “As an architect, I believe it is very important to empathise with the nature of things, rather than fighting for form and style.”
Current news at The Fredensborghusene
The Fredensborg Houses on Screen in the Final Season of Carmen Curlers
Get up close to Utzon’s masterpiece – experience the Fredensborg Houses from the inside on Architecture Day
Fredensborg Houses Set the Stage for 50 Years of Royal Friendship
The key to senior living communities
Build and Think – Architecture for Children in Fredensborg
