Mirror House in Copenhagen – From Graffiti-Plagued Playground to Inviting Pavilion

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The Mirror House in Copenhagen used to be covered in graffiti. Danish-American architects MLRP, has transformed an existing graffiti-plagued playground to an inviting and reflective pavilion as part of the new Interactive Playground Project in Copenhagen. 

Designer MLRP thought, why not make use of an “interactive element” that can serve as a “transition between natural and built environments”? The entire house seems to be playing tricks with your eyes and mind, as it would mimic the appearance of the surroundings, and even look like an invisible structure sometimes.

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The Copenhagen Central Park has thus been transformed from an existing playground pavilion into the ‘mirror house’,  where the structure has been converted into an interactive element, inviting visitors to peer into the gable ends lined with funhouse trick mirrors. This engages a play with perspective, reflection and tranformation. Instead of a typical closed gable facade, the mirrored gables creates a sympathetic transition between built and landscape and reflects the surrounding park, playground and activity.

050315-mirror-house-copenhagen-city-denmarkWindows and doors are integrated in the wood-clad facade behind facade shutters with varied bent mirror panel effects. At night the shutters are closed making the building anonymous. During the day the building opens up, attracting the children who enjoy seeing themselves transformed in all directions.

With simple means it has succeeded to transform an existing, sad and anonymous building to a unique and respectful installation in the newly renovated park.

The roof and facade is clad with heat-modified wood and the gables and shutters are clad with mirror polished stainless steel. The Mirror House is a flexible space and restrooms, used by kindergarden classes.

Mirror House is an example of a successful transformation project for limited funds. The playground pavilion was run down by years of neglect and vandalism, but the masonry structure, roof and foundations were in good condition and therefore the building’s life could be extended.