Havneholmen

This exceptionally elegant residential area with maritime references is situated right on the harborfront. A superb example of how to build exclusive waterfront residences without excluding the surrounding community.

The two U-shaped housing blocks of Havneholmen Residences have a Mediterranean feel to it.

The tall, stuccoed buildings open up their courtyards towards the harbour basin and, in a characteristic shared with the ‘Harbour Isle’s’ other buildings, their mono-pitched roofs rise at an angle as they elevate towards the water from five storeys to eight.

Creating the residences was integral to the city’s master plan for repurposing the once-industrial Havneholmen area, and integrating housing and businesses in a single location that capitalises on its unique proximity to the swimmable harbour waters.

The architects of the 236 apartments – the largest over 200m2 – paid close attention to detailing, as a way to accentuate its maritime situation. As well as the white stucco, teak fenestration and floor-to-ceiling windows, a light wooden deck winds between the buildings and into the courtyards, which have been planted with small coastal trees and grasses resembling sea lyme.

As well as all this, two narrow canals direct the water right between the buildings, reflecting light upwards and creating an almost-Venetian atmosphere in the courtyards. Those apartments located directly on the canals also have landings on the water.