Copenhagen's Architecture Biennial: A Fresh Look at Building Slowly

The Copenhagen Architecture Biennial kicked off on September 18, running until October 19, with a focus on slowing down. This event, organized by CAFx, is a step up from the city's old annual festival. It's now a bigger, international stage for talking about architecture and how it shapes our world. The theme, "Slow Down, " is a nudge to think about how fast we're building and changing things, especially with all the pressure from cities growing, resources running low, and climate change. The biennial is packed with over 250 events, from exhibitions to tours. Some big names are there, like Rem Koolhaas and Atelier Bow-Wow, along with local Danish firms. One cool part is the Slow Pavilions, like "Barn Again" by Tom Svilans and THISS Studio. This pavilion is made from old barn wood, showing how materials can have a second life. It's not just about looking good; it's about making people slow down and think. Another pavilion, "Inside Out, Upside Down" by Slaatto Morsbøl, uses reused materials to make visitors aware of their surroundings. It's all about taking your time and noticing things, unlike the usual rush of modern life. The Slow Down exhibition is spread across two places, Copenhagen and Malmö, showing how architecture can be a way to pause and think. "Thoravej 29" by Pihlmann Architects is a great example of reusing old buildings. They took a 1967 industrial building and turned it into something new, keeping most of the original materials. This shows how we can use what's already there instead of always building new things. "Chapel Retold" is another project that focuses on keeping old buildings alive. A group of architects, artists, and artisans worked on a 1954 chapel, making small changes to give it a new purpose. This is a smart way to use resources wisely. The Clay Pavilion by the Royal Danish Academy is all about using natural materials. They used unfired clay tiles, which are better for the environment than regular bricks. It's a cool way to show how we can build with simple, local materials. Nikolaj Kunsthal, a historic church turned art space, got a makeover by Morten Emil Engel. The project mixed old and new, showing how we can respect history while making spaces work for today. During the biennial, there were talks about big ideas for making architecture more sustainable. Things like rewilding, using fewer resources, and making sure materials don't go to waste. These ideas are important for the future of building.