Henning Hansen (18 July 1880 - 8 August 1945) was a Danish architect.

Early life and education

Hansen was born on 18 July 1880 in

Odense Odense ( , , ) is the third largest city in Denmark (after Copenhagen and Aarhus) and the largest city on the island of Funen. As of 1 January 2025, the city proper had a population of 185,480 while Odense Municipality had a population of 210, ...

, the son of master joiner Hans Henning Hansen (1839-1923) and Johanne (Hanne) Jørgensen (1838-1913). Hansen completed a joiner's apprenticeship in his home town. He was also educated as an executing architect (''konduktøreksemen'') from Odense Technical School in 1899. After moving to Copenhagen, he was trained in drawing at Vermehren's drawing school. He attended the

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts () has provided education in the arts for more than 250 years, playing its part in the development of the art of Denmark. History The Royal Danish Academy of Portraiture, Sculpture, and Architecture in Cope ...

' School of Architecture from 1899 to 1907. In 1910, he won the academy's small gold medal for his design of "a manor house". This earned him the academy's great travel stipend. The journey took him to Greece and Spain. During his stay in Greece, he attended the '' École Francaise d'Athénes' and participated in the institution's excavations at

Delos Delos (; ; ''Dêlos'', ''Dâlos''), is a small Greek island near Mykonos, close to the centre of the Cyclades archipelago. Though only in area, it is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. ...

. Other journeys took him to Italy, France, England and the Netherlands. In 191113, he worked as an assistant for

Martin Nyrop Martin Nyrop (11 November 1849 18 May 1921) was a Danish architect. Early life and education Nyrop was born on 11 November 1849 at Holmsland Municipality, Holmsland, Ringkøbing, the son of parish priest Christopher Nyrop (1805–1879) and Helen ...

. He was also influenced by

Andreas Clemmensen Andreas Clemmensen (7 August 1852 – 5 December 1928) was a Danish architect and royal building inspector. Early life and education Clemmensen was born on 7 August 1852 in Leck, Duchy of Schleswig, the son of Carl Frederik Clemmensen and Charlo ...

and

Ulrik Plesner Ulrik Adolph Plesner, usually known as Ulrik Plesner (17 May 1861 in Vedersø – 22 November 1933 in Skagen) was an innovative Danish architect who designed in a National Romantic style at the beginning of the 20th century. He is remembered in p ...

for whom he had worked as executing architect.

Career

In 1911, Hansen established his own architectural studio. Not long thereafter, he won 1st prize in the competition for the design of the Danish pavilion at the 1914 Baltic Exhibition in Malmö . His winning proposal, which combined inspiration from

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

manor houses with influences from the

Arts and Crafts movement The Arts and Crafts movement was an international trend in the decorative and fine arts that developed earliest and most fully in the British Isles and subsequently spread across the British Empire and to the rest of Europe and America. Initiat ...

, won him the Academy's Annual Medal. In his design of an expansion of KFUM's headquarters on Rosenborggade in Copenhagen (1914; heritage listed in 1979), he also combined inspiration from historical styles with influences from English architecture. Many of his other early works were single-family detached houses, frequently designed in collaboration with Louis Hygom. Unlike many of his contemporaries, such as Povl Baymann, he did not turn to

Nordic Classicism Nordic Classicism was a Architectural style, style of architecture that briefly blossomed in the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland) between 1910 and 1930. The style was also known as Swedish Grace architecture in Sweden. Until ...

Modernism Modernism was an early 20th-century movement in literature, visual arts, and music that emphasized experimentation, abstraction, and Subjectivity and objectivity (philosophy), subjective experience. Philosophy, politics, architecture, and soc ...

wholeheartedly, but was more inclined to switch between different styles, just like he with inspiration from his old teacher, Matin Nyrop, remained fond of eclectic, decorative details. In the 1920s and 1930s, Hansen designed a number of large housing estates in Copenhagen. Borgerbo (1914) had made the most out of an iregularly shaped site in

Amager Amager ( ), located in the Øresund, is Denmark's most densely populated island, with more than 216,000 inhabitants (January 2022). The protected natural area of ''Naturpark Amager'' (including Kalvebod Fælled) makes up more than one-third of the ...

. With Solgården, Hansen adopted a significantly more innovative approach to modern residential architecture. The design broke with the traditional perimeter block by leaving the southwestern corner open to let in more sunlight. The main entrances were also placed on the yard-side of the buildings, unlike what was normal at the time, and the ground-floor apartments had small front gardens separated from the rest of the courtyards by low walls. Kanslergården in

Østerbro Østerbro () is one of the 10 official districts of Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark. It is located just north of the city centre, outside the old city gate Østerport which, after it was moved around 1700, used to be located close to present-day ...

(1929; heritage listed in 2009) set a new standard for public housing with its large apartments and mansion-like

Baroque Revival architecture The Baroque Revival, also known as Neo-Baroque (or Second Empire architecture in France and Wilhelminism in Germany), was an architectural style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term is used to describe architecture and architectu ...

. In 193031, he designed Danish Bivyvle Club's new velodrome in

Ordrup Ordrup is a district of Gentofte Municipality in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located circa north of the city centre. History Ordrup was originally a small village which only consisted of eight farms and a forge. The area ...

north of the city. In 1936, he won 1st prize in the competition for a new Frederiksberg Town Hall. Construction started in 1941 but was pit on hold the following year due to scarcity of materials during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. After Hansen's death, it was completed to a completely reworked design by others. In 1917, Hansen was admitted to the Academy's plenar assembly. In 19201929, he was a member of the Academy Council. He was president of Akademisk Arkitektforening in 1919-22. He was also involved in the publication of the magazine ''Architecten'' and headed Yegnehjælpen. In 1921, he was elected for

Copenhagen City Council The Copenhagen City Council (Danish: ) is the municipal government of Copenhagen, Denmark, and has its seat at Copenhagen City Hall. The city council is Copenhagen's highest political authority and sets the framework for the committees' tasks. ...

(vice chairman from 1925). He was a member of numerous commissions. Hansen was created a

Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog The Order of the Dannebrog () is a Denmark, Danish order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by Christian V of Denmark, Christian V. Until 1808, membership in the Order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank, who formed a single cla ...

in 1914. In 1930, he was awarded the Order of the Dannebrog's Cross of Honour.

Personal life

Hansen was married to the architect Agnete Frederikke Laub Hansen (1886-1970) on 16 September 1915. She was the daughter of engineer Holger Axel Hauning (1852-1931) and Johanne Arngoth Haae Laub (1859-1943). Her brother was the architect Thomas Hauning. Their mother's sister was married to Martin Nyrop. Hansen and his wife were the parents of architect Hans Henning Hansen.

List of works

* Bagsværd Bording School,

Bagsværd Bagsværd () is a middle-class suburb located approximately 12 km northwest of central Copenhagen, in the Gladsaxe Municipality. Bagsværd houses the headquarters of Danish pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and biotechnology co ...

(1908) * Vordingborg Barracks,

Vordingborg Vordingborg () is a market town and old ferry town on the south coast of the island of Zealand in Denmark. Because of three large estates surrounding the town, a coherent urban development has not been possible, which is the reason why three sat ...

(1912-13, with Alf Jørgensen) * Overbys Allé 48, Valby, Copenhagen (1913, sammen med Louis Hygom) * Amalie Skrams Alle 1, Valby, Copenhagen (1914, with Louis Hygom) * Danish pavillion, 1914 Balti Exhibition,

Malmö Malmö is the List of urban areas in Sweden by population, third-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg, and the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, sixth-largest city in Nordic countries, the Nordic region. Located on ...

, Sweden (1914, demolished) * Skovbogårds Allé 4 og 6, Valby, Copenhagen (1914) Tipperary (now Hegnslund) for direktør Frederik Hegel, Strandvejen 859, Springforbi (1914-15, listed 2001) * Borgerbo 1-7,

, Copenhagen (1914, with Louis Hygom, Brygger Jacobsens Præmie) * Amalie Skrams Allé 4, Valby, Copenhagen (1915, with Louis Hygom) * Rosenborg Annex for Danish YMCA, Rosenborggade 1517, Copenhagen (1915-17, listed 1979) * Belvedere, Kystvej 44,

Hornbæk Hornbæk () is a seaside resort town on the north coast of the Danish island of Sjælland, facing the Øresund which separates Denmark from Sweden. It is part of Helsingør Municipality and is located 12 km northwest of Helsingør. It is mai ...

(1916-17) * House for Emil Rubow,

Limhamn Limhamn () is, in an administrative sense, the southern district of Malmö Municipality in Sweden. Before 1915, Limhamn was (briefly) a town of its own. The population of Limhamn-Bunkeflo (including suburbs) is 31,000, of which 7,000 live in t ...

, Sweden (1917) * Kanslergaarden, Borgmester Jensens Allé 1-5/

Jagtvej Jagtvej () is a major artery in the Nørrebro and Østerbro districts of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Åboulevard, Ågade on the border with Frederiksberg in the southwest to Østerbrogade in the northeast, linking Falkoner Allé with Strand ...

/ Serridslevvej/ Kanslergade (1918-19, listed 2001) * Husvildeboliger af træ, Vigerslev Allé 81-133, Copenhagen (1918-19, nedrevet) * Genforeningspladsen 1-15, Copenhagen (1919-20) *

Valby Langgade Valby Langgade is one of the main streets of the Valby district of Copenhagen, Denmark. The c. 3.2 km long street runs from the southern end of Pile Allé and the Carlsberg (district), Carlsberg neighbourhood in the east to Roskildevej at Dam ...

19, Valby (1920) * Lundeskovsvej 6 og 8, Studiebyen, Hellerup (1921) * Vilhelm Thomsens Allé 5-7, 4-40, Copenhagen (1921) * Dronningmølle Avlsgård (1923) * Vibekevang, Aldersrogade/Vibekegade/Hildursgade/Gyritegade, Copenhagen(1924-25) * Skipperforeningens Stiftelse, Australiensvej 29-33 (1928) * Søholm Park 7, Hellerup (1927) * Trinitatis Rectory, Landemærket 4, Copenhagen (1928, with Thomas Havning) * Antoinettevej 4, Valby, Copenhagen (1929) * Solgaarden, Vejrøgade 6-14/Ourøgade 30-38/ Sankt Kjelds Gade 14-22/Langøgade 19-25, Copenhagen (1929-31, Bissens Præmie) *

Strandboulevarden Strandboulevarden () is a major street in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Fridtjof Nansens Plads in the south to Østerbrogade in the north, linking Kristianiagade with Jagtvej. History Decided by the City Council in ...

11-13, Classensgade 59-67 / Willemoesgade 76, Copenhagen (1930) * Velodrome for Danish Bicycle Club,

(1930-31, nedrevet) * Høyrups Allé 37, Hellerup (1931) *

Østerbrogade Østerbrogade is the principal shopping street and thoroughfare in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It extends from Lille Triangel at the north-eastern tip of The Lakes, passes Trianglen, and continues to Svanemøllen station fro ...

51-53 / Olufsvej, Copenhagen (1931-32) *

Stockholmsgade Stockholmsgade (literally "Stockholm Street") is a mainly residential street in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It follows the northwestern margin of Østre Anlæg, linking Sølvtorvet in the southwest with Oslo Plads at Østerport station in the ...

23 / Uppsalagade, Copenhagen 1-7 (1932) *

Grønningen Grønningen is a Danish artists cooperative whose members arrange exhibitions and similar events. Founded in 1915, it is one of the oldest and most important groupings of its kind in Denmark and currently has 54 members. It is named after the str ...

3, Copenhagen (1933) * Ny Stokkerup for Bøje Benzon, Strandvejen 724, Springforbi (1934, have af C.Th. Sørensen) *Strandøre 18, Østerbro (1934) Bjerregårdsvej 3, Valby, Copenhagen (1936) * Extension of

Alderstrøst Alderstrøst refers to two residential complexes built by Association of Craftsmen in Copenhagen to provide affordable housing for elderly, indigent members and their widows in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. The oldest is located o ...

Nørre Allé Nørre Alle () is a street in Copenhagen, Denmark, running from Blegdamsvej in Nørrebro in the south to Vibenshus Runddel in Østerbro in the north. It runs through University of Copenhagen's North Campus which is centred on its junction with ...

17 (1937-38) * Haandværkerhaven, Banebrinken,

Emdrup Emdrup is a neighbourhood straddling the border between the Bispebjerg and Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located between Utterslev Mose in the west and the Helsingør Motorway in the east, just south of the border with Gladsax ...

(competition 1936, 1940) * Efterslægtsselskabets Skole, Hyrdevangen 62 (inaugurated 1940) * Københavns Maskinistskole (later Copenhagen Technical School), Jagtvej 163 (1941, withCarl H. Nimb) * Pavilion, Bjerregårdsvej 5, Valby, Copenhagen (1945) * Frederiksberg Rådhus (1st prize in 1935, started 1941{{ndash1942, reworked and completed by Helge Holm og Carl H. Nimb 1949-53)

Adaptions and refurbishments

Johan Borups Højskole Johan Borups Højskole (literally Borup's Folk High School) is a folk high school situated at Frederiksholms Kanal 24 in central Copenhagen, Denmark. History The building, 18481892 The building was constructed in 1747 as an extension of Jacob Barc ...

(assembly hall etx), Copenhagen (1927)

References

{{reflist {{DEFAULTSORT:Hansen, Henning 20th-century Danish architects People from Odense Knights of the Order of the Dannebrog 20th-century Copenhagen City Council members 1880 births 1945 deaths Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts alumni