Cooking School & Culturehuset

The culture house (Culturehuset) concept is deeply rooted in the Danish community and can be described as a Citizens’ House (in Danish: medborgerhus) – it is a term for a cultural institution that is available to a city or a local population that offers cultural, association, and leisure facilities. Medborgerhuset emerged as a concept in Danish towns in the wake of the cultural and attitudinal changes that occurred during the youth revelation. Culture houses are a very important part of life in Denmark as a young person, as is cooking. Within the education of most Danes, they are encouraged to learn skills such as cooking by visiting public kitchens. The space within this old tram car barn in Indre By (Central Copenhagen) is currently housing a small culture house, but by adding a learning kitchen, it creates another use for the local children. Not only are there two learning kitchens for about 15 students each, but there is also a small library and space for children to play or do homework after school.

Concept: Another very important part of Danish culture is nature. Bringing nature into the interior connects the kids to their culture. The European Beech Tree originally wasn’t native to Denmark, but was brought here and is now the national tree of Denmark. Not only do trees invoke a sort of curiosity and playfulness in children, but for some, the idea that this tree went from non-existent in the country to now the national tree. This may make them feel more connected to their country. This is incorporated by the use of light wood and the inclusion of plants throughout the interior, along with the large tree sculptural column in the main entrance and the greenhouse. The greenhouse is used by the children so they can be taught how to grow and use their own produce in cooking. COOKING STATION DETAIL For another class (Detailing and Sustainability), I was asked to choose a certain part of this studio project and focus on the details of this element. I chose the cooking station that is used in the learning kitchen. Some key features are the ceramic stovetop, the wheels, and the bottom drawer which opens to be a step stool that can be used by younger students.