Common Ground

Copenhagen Central Station, Denmark, Diploma Project

Common Ground transforms the underutilized area between Copenhagen's Central Station and Vesterport into a vital public space. Spanning over 20,000 square meters, the project reimagines Copenhagen’s arrival and departure area by restructuring existing programs and establishing a new public space over the old railroad trench. This transformation creates seamless connections between key landmarks while introducing new possibilities for urban life.

Our modern network of connections makes the global world more accessible, but it often homogenizes the points that link us together. Common Ground seeks to counter this by honoring the physical origin and symbolic significance of the city. The project aims to create a special and exceptional arrival experience—A Common Ground—that embodies the identity of both the city and the country.

The design integrates underground market halls, cycling routes, and bike parking within a thoughtfully crafted landscape that promotes fluid movement and interaction. By relocating shops from Central Station to this new space, the project also restores the station's grand hall to its original purpose as a majestic arrival point.

My ambition is to create a space that unites various urban scenarios—dynamic yet tranquil, commonplace yet solemn. Common Ground is intended to be a place that not only connects but also breaks borders, allowing something new to emerge within the familiar. It’s a space where the city’s energy and moments of quiet reflection coexist, bridging physical and symbolic gaps while fostering a deeper sense of community within Copenhagen's urban fabric.