COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.-The experience of space is the central theme in Zaha Hadid’s new extension to Ordrupgaard, which is now reopening with more room for both art and the public, after being closed for almost two years. The extension is moulded in blackish-grey concrete. It is both in harmony with and stands in contrast to the old stately home that up to now has housed Ordrupgaard’s unique collection of French impressionism and Danish Golden Age art.

Star architect - Zaha Hadid is one of the world’s star architects. For more than 20 years she has challenged the dogmas of architecture and modernism and sought new modes of building. There is always a link between her buildings and the location itself, just as is seen in the new extension to Ordrupgaard. At the same time, through its independent expression and form, her work distinguishes itself from most other architecture.

“Even though Zaha Hadid’s extension has a significantly different, modern expression compared with the original stately home, Ms. Hadid has managed to capture the special atmosphere of Ordrupgaard and has brilliantly transformed this to match the spirit of today. In spite of the new extension, Ordrupgaard still maintains its original feeling,” says Ordrupgaard’s director Anne-Birgitte Fonsmark.

Double the area - The new extension doubles the total area of the museum. The new building is 1150 m2 of which approximately 500 m2 have been dedicated to a large exhibition hall and four smaller exhibition rooms. The hall is mainly to be used for special exhibitions, whereas one of the smaller rooms has been specially designed to house the museum’s collection of French light-sensitive pastels by Manet, Degas and Renoir.

“The main part of the new building is for art itself. It has been most important for me to create better conditions for the collection and special exhibitions, and thereby provide the public with better conditions under which to experience the art at Ordrupgaard. A number of big and impressive museum buildings are currently being built, however what is so special about the Ordrupgaard extension is that we have based it on the intimate atmosphere of the museum. This has resulted in a wonderful little house of an exquisite architectural quality,” says Ms Fonsmark.

Highest acclaim - Last year Zaha Hadid was awarded the Pritzker Prize – the highest recognition in international architecture. In connection with the prize, one of the members of the jury said the following about Zaha Hadid: “Zaha Hadid is one of the most gifted practitioners of the art of architecture today. From the earliest drawings and models to current buildings and work in progress, there has been a consistently original and strong personal vision that has changed the way we see and experience space. Hadid’s fragmented geometry and fluid mobility do more than create an abstract, dynamic beauty; this is a body of work that explores and expresses the world we live in”.

The building was funded by The Danish Ministry of Culture, Fonden Realdania and Augustinus Fonden.