{"id":6014,"date":"2025-07-18T17:32:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T17:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/6014\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T17:32:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T17:32:10","slug":"francisco-tirado-captures-kengo-kumas-culture-center-copenhagen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/6014\/","title":{"rendered":"francisco tirado captures kengo kuma&#8217;s culture center, copenhagen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>kengo kuma nears completion of waterfront culture center<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Francisco Tirado\u2019s photo series reveals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/kengo-kuma\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kengo Kuma &amp; Associates\u2019<\/a> cluster of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/brick-architecture\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> brick-clad<\/a> pyramids taking shape on the edge of Copenhagen\u2019s harbor. The photographer reveals steady progress on Kuma\u2019s long-anticipated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/architecture\/kengo-kuma-waterfront-cultural-center-copenhagen-01-12-2018\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Waterfront Culture Center,<\/a> which upon completion in 2026, will form a new public complex combining public baths, open-air pools, and a cultural program.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Set on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/architecture-in-denmark\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denmark\u2019s<\/a> Paper Island (Christiansholm), the sculptural complex is defined by a field of interconnected monoliths and angular rooflines \u2014 a contemporary interpretation of the island\u2019s historic pitched-roof silhouette. While also mirroring the rhythms of the surrounding waterscape, they create porous connections between the city, the water, and public life.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145177 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"815\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-16.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>all images \u00a9 Francisco Tirado<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>francisco tirado reveals the cascading brick volumes underway<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Designed by Kengo Kuma &amp; Associates, the Waterfront Culture Center is envisioned as a terrain that flows seamlessly from city to sea. The ground plane gently cascades toward the water in terraced steps, while its pyramid-like structures, some still under construction, are composed of solid and void, where cones are pushed and pulled to create distinct zones across multiple levels.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Externally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/kkaa.co.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">architects<\/a> have clad the Waterfront Culture Center in Danish brick, rooting the design in local building traditions while experimenting with light and scale. The masonry is expressed in varying degrees of opacity \u2014 from dense walls to perforated screens \u2014 allowing the building to breathe and glow with a soft internal light. At night, or during the dark winters of northern Europe, the luminous brick skin is designed to reflect gently onto the water, creating a warm and tactile urban beacon for the new Paper Island development.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145164 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-3.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>Francisco Tirado captures Waterfront Culture Center<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>reinterpreting copenhagen\u2019s traditional architectural forms<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On the ground floor, indoor pools are topped by skylights cut into steep roofs, filtering in natural light and shadow. Above, open-air baths sit like valleys among the peaks, with panoramic views over Copenhagen\u2019s waterfront. The central void, formed by an inverted cone, houses an outdoor stairwell and structural core, emphasizing the interplay between positive and negative space across the complex. According to the team at Kengo Kuma &amp; Associates, this approach creates particular experiences for each program\u00a0through volumetric variation, spatial contrast, and atmospheric control.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3404\" data-end=\"3871\">With many of the pyramid structures now visibly complete, and others actively rising, Francisco Tirado\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tirado.media\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">photographs<\/a> offer an extended look at the project\u2019s spatial richness. They document a work in transition, as the complex moves toward its anticipated 2026 opening.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145162 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-1.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>the photo series reveals progress at the complex<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145174 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-13.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>Kengo Kuma &amp; Associates\u2019 cluster of brick-clad pyramids taking shape<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145176 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-15.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>located on the edge of Copenhagen\u2019s harbor<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145168 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-7.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>the sculptural complex is defined by a field of interconnected monoliths and angular rooflines<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145172 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-11.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>skylights cut into steep roofs, filtering in natural light and shadow<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145180 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1728\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-19.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>a new public complex<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145187 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-26.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>it will combine public baths, open-air pools, and a cultural program<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145170 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1671\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-9.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>a contemporary interpretation of the island\u2019s historic pitched-roof silhouette<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145181 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-20.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>the volumes create porous connections between the city, the water, and public life<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145178 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-17.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>clad in Danish brick, rooting the design in local building traditions while experimenting with light and scale<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1145192 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"francisco tirado captures progress on kengo kuma's pyramidal culture center in copenhagen\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/francisco-tirado-kengo-kuma-copenhagen-designboom-31.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>set for completion in 2026<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>project info:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>name: Waterfront Culture Center<\/p>\n<p>architect:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/kkaa.co.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Kengo Kuma and Associates<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/kkaa_official\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">@kkaa_official<\/a><\/p>\n<p>location: Paper Island, Copenhagen, Denmark<\/p>\n<p>photographer: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tirado.media\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Francisco Tirado<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/francisco_tirado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">@francisco_tirado<\/a><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"kengo kuma nears completion of waterfront culture center \u00a0 Francisco Tirado\u2019s photo series reveals Kengo Kuma &amp; Associates\u2019&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6015,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[6792,76,354,355,6793,49,48,356,75,6794],"class_list":{"0":"post-6014","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-architecture-in-denmark","9":"tag-arts","10":"tag-arts-and-design","11":"tag-artsanddesign","12":"tag-brick-architecture","13":"tag-ca","14":"tag-canada","15":"tag-design","16":"tag-entertainment","17":"tag-kengo-kuma"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}