The Future in Transition: Design, Architecture, Community
by Anoe Melliou
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As the year draws to a close, transition emerges as a defining force in contemporary design. Convergence is evident in spaces once defined by singular purposes, now reimagined to operate beyond their original typologies. Diversity in use and function is shaping the future.
ÅBEN, a former slaughterhouse renovated by Pihlmann Architects and transformed into a brewery, exemplifies the hybrid nature of design, program, and community in 2024. Its diverse functions and layered history came into focus during Copenhagen Fashion Week, where ÅBEN served as a striking backdrop for A. Roege Hove’s SS25 collection.
ÅBEN, which translates to "be open," reflects both the physical and conceptual openness embodied in the architecture and the collection it hosted. “The focus was on creating volumes that expand from the body’s structure, emphasizing the spaces in between and allowing for movement,” notes Hove.
The interplay of fluidity and structure is central to ÅBEN’s architectural reinvention, with every detail crafted to invite engagement and blur the boundaries between production and consumption.
The space retains key original elements as a statement of the enduring strength of industrial design. Exposed structure, original textures, and an open-plan layout underscore the balance of past and present, reinforcing the space’s raw yet refined character.
A custom furniture series by Archival Studies further enhances the space, adding a minimalist reflection that bridges the building's industrial past with its contemporary reinvention. In ÅBEN, past and present converge in a space where transition is not merely observed but experienced.
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Images: ÅBEN Brewery in Kødbyen, Copenhagen, designed by pihlmann architects; Furniture by Archival Studies; Photography by Hampus Berndtson; Runway Photography by James Cochrane.
