As a thank you for their tremendous volunteer work at Fredensborg Houses, the museum group – consisting of museum volunteers and the board of directors – recently went on an excursion to the Roman Houses in Helsingør.
The Roman Houses, designed by Jørn Utzon, were built in the late 1950s and are considered the precursors to the Fredensborg Houses. The visit was therefore an obvious opportunity to delve into the history behind some of the ideas about community, architecture and residential life that were later developed further in Fredensborg.
During the trip, the group visited several of the courtyard houses, which are now owner-occupied, and heard the story of the development and its unique architecture. The 60 houses are beautifully integrated into the landscape around a lake and a hilly area in the middle of Helsingør – an example of Utzon’s unique ability to bring architecture and nature together.
Conversations and community
The excursion also included a walk through the area, where participants could experience how the houses are gently placed in the terrain, creating both community and privacy for the residents.
The trip ended with a pleasant lunch at Gl. Humlebæk Kro, where there was plenty of time for conversation and fellowship.
The excursion is part of the museum’s way of saying thank you to the many volunteers who, through their commitment, help to keep the story of Jørn Utzon and the architecture of the Fredensborg Houses alive.
Read more about the houses (in Danish)
