Køge Kyst

THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE MEADOW 

A stone’s throw from the beach and the water, Juul | Frost Architects have designed a residential project that integrates landscape and housing. In the landscape the studio has drawn the scenery of the coast line into the residential complex. The design brings the dwellers even closer to the local nature with the view to the flora of the salt meadow, the sound of the sea breeze in the lyme grass, the touch of sand beneath their feet and the hues of the coast line in their courtyard – Here, the residents can literally step from their terraces into the sandbars.

The local context and the spirit of the place is the pointer of the landscape concept: The atmosphere and scenery of the salt meadow and beach have been brought in between the buildings through floras, materials, hues and textures. The lightness and coincidental placement of plants and the softness of the rolling sandbars is contrasted by the tight and graphic pavement and water channels. Three openings to the courtyard do not only invite the public into the courtyard, they also open it towards the waterfront, underpinning the continuation between the yard and the salt meadow. Through the great view to the meadow and ocean the landscape of the courtyard “borrows” from the greater landscape.

A SOCIAL SENSITIVE LANDSCAPE 

The landscape has been designed with an emphasis on the social life and an acknowledgement of the importance of the daily social meetings between the dwellers. Fringes of tall grasses between the terraces and common area of the courtyard marks the transition from private to semi-public. It increases the feeling of safety, to the benefit of both the dwelling and life in the shared areas. Terraces, balconies and good edge zones on the ground floor generate life and interaction along the buildings, it activates the outdoor areas, and it creates good opportunities for spontaneous meetings between the residents. The social sensitive landscape design secures the best possible frame for the informal use of the yard as an everyday social meeting place.

MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL OUT OF A RAINY DAY 

As many other places there’s a need to incorporated rainwater management in the landscape design because of the increase in heavy rain due to environmental changes. In the landscape of Køge Kyst, the rainwater management takes place at the surface. The drainage of rainwater, happens through rain beds and water channels in Corten, highlighting the water as an experimental dimension instead of hiding it. The intention behind, is to make something special out of even the rainy days by making the rain and water a poetic feature in the landscape through visible water mirrors, the movement of the water in channels and surfaces in sand where the raindrops leave their marks.