A quirky wooden lounge has recently emerged from the waters of Copenhagen harbour: named ‘CPH-Ø1’, it is the first of a series of artificial floating platforms designed by Studio Fokstrot for a project called Copenhagen Islands intended to regenerate the Danish capital’s harbour area.
The major goal of Aussie architects Marshal Blecher and Magnus Maarbjerg was to provide a totally revolutionary take on public space right on water, by creating a so-called “parkipelago” meaning a public park shaped after an artificial archipelago. ‘CPH-Ø1’ is then a prototype anticipating a total of nine islands, fully available and open for everyone to enjoy.
The 25-sq-m wooden island has already been used as a resting place for kayakers and swimmers, for sunbathing, stargazing, hosting small events like private BBQs, and of course fishing.
The floating public platform was built in a local boat yard employing sustainably sourced timber and traditional techniques, and is buoyed by recycled plastic bottles, and planted with a 6-metre-high single tree. The project was jointly realised by SITAS (Scandinavian Instant Trees), Susens Bådbyggeri, Syddjurs Savverk and Statens Kunstfond.
‘Ø’ is the single Danish letter for the word ‘island’, so that the floating islands next to come will be named CPH-Ø2, Ø3 and so on. They are going to serve as a swimming pool, diving board, sail-in cafe, sauna and performance stage – in other words, a bunch of freely accessible public spaces open to mariners, fishermen and common citizens. Aw, no wonder the happiest countries are in Northern Europe!
