KU.BE: Frederiksberg’s architectural embrace

Six cubes of varying sizes and materials provide a setting for many different activities and meeting places in this award-winning cultural center.

The 3,200m2 urban space KU.BE – or ‘House of Culture and Movement’ – morphs and moves in both its environment and its programme, having been designed to draw people together and improve quality of life. The building houses spaces for theatre, sport and education, connecting people no matter their age or physical ability.

Life both in and between the cubes

Framed by an ‘urban curtain’ for art projects, light sculptures and physical activities, KU.BE’s interior comprises six freestanding cubic forms, each clad in a unique colour and material. They’re also different in size and purpose – the larger are for performances or public meetings, the smaller hosting exhibitions or debates. Some are faster in pace for dance or parkour, while others are chill zones for yoga and meditation.

Between these are flexible play zones defined by the user: on the passage through the building, the Labyrinth brings kids to a crawl as they travel a 3D network from second to third floor, while the vertical Mousetrap’s nets connect levels and cross voids, before users descend via slides and fireman poles.

Outside, the microclimates of KU.BE’s urban gardens are embedded with changing sounds, lights and scents, designed to hint at its interior, while also connecting to and extending its neighbourhood’s landscape.

Near KU.BE

Flintholm Swimming Facility is a short walk away if you or your children need to burn off more energy. If it’s the architecture that attracts more than the activities, you can also take a detour past Flintholm Plejeboliger (nursing homes), Solbjerg Garden, and Flintholm Port (gate). On your way home, you can catch the train from the futuristic Flintholm Station.