The restoration followed a nuanced strategy: preserving original elements, reinstating historic colours based on thorough research, and incorporating contemporary additions that are both discernible and discreet. Modern interventions—such as smooth doors painted in subtly contrasting hues and grey mortar fillings where thresholds were removed for accessibility—exemplify this delicate balance.
Copenhagen Museum
Reclaiming a Historic Narrative at Stormgade 18
The Museum of Copenhagen has found a new home in the former Overformynderi building at Stormgade 18—a historicist gem from 1894 originally designed by architect H.J. Holm. Once the administrative centre for managing minors’ finances, the building now takes on a new civic role: telling the story of the city itself.
The restoration was guided by a principle of respectful adaptation. Original details such as decorative wood ceilings and intricate masonry have been carefully preserved, while historic paint colours—uncovered through meticulous archaeological analysis—have been reinstated to bring depth and authenticity to each room. Where new elements were needed, contemporary interventions were introduced with restraint, designed to be both legible and subtle.
Throughout, the building’s spatial qualities shape the museum experience. Visitors move through a sequence of atmospheres, each room animated by colour, light, and material texture. Rather than merely housing the exhibition, the building becomes part of it—a silent narrator of the layers of Copenhagen’s past.
With this restoration, Stormgade 18 re-emerges not only as a historicist gem in central Copenhagen but also as an active cultural participant, offering a nuanced and tactile encounter with the city’s evolving identity.
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- Location:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Programme:
- Museum
- Size:
- 3,200 m2
- Client:
- Copenhagen Municipality
- Collaborating Architect:
- Leth & Gori
- Engineer:
- Hundsbæk & Henriksen
- Photos:
- Adam Mørk
Framing Copenhagen's History
Copenhagen Museum has reopened its doors at Stormgade 18, now housed in the historic Overformynderi building. Originally designed by architect H.J. Holm in 1894, the building formerly oversaw the financial affairs of minors until 1937. Constructed in the historicist style, it features fine craftsmanship and intricate detailing—elements that have been carefully preserved and highlighted during its restoration. The building is now well-prepared to host both permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring Copenhagen's rich history.
A key aspect of the restoration has therefore been the revival of the original richness of colour and the re-establishment of the building’s visual identity. On both the ground floor and the first floor, the colour palette was mapped through archaeological paint analysis. In several areas, small sample patches have been deliberately left exposed, offering a unique insight into the restoration process.
The decorative wooden ceilings have fortunately been left untouched throughout the years. The vaulted and beamed structures were carefully cleaned and required only minimal retouching to restore their original splendour.
The spatial journey unfolds as a richly sensorial and ever-changing experience. Each room is brought to life through a new palette of colour and the dynamic play of light across the walls. By situating the Museum of Copenhagen within the historic setting of Stormgade 18, the building itself becomes a narrative thread—an active participant in telling the story of the city’s past.
Following specific security enhancements, the exhibition areas now meet stringent safety standards, enabling the museum to host exhibitions under the National Indemnity insurance scheme. This scheme is exclusively reserved for exhibitions of significant artistic or cultural-historical value.
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The building's original shafts and ventilation channels facilitated the unobtrusive integration of new installations. Accessibility improvements include a new elevator replacing a secondary staircase, ensuring step-free access throughout. Fire safety measures, like flame-retardant coatings on old doors and discreetly placed detectors, harmonize with the building's aesthetic.