The Harbour Park, Copenhagen
volleyball and pétanque pitches from an open area
paved with concrete. The wall is made of concrete
columns supporting a weighty beam. Some of the
spaces between the columns are open while others
are filled in. Wisteria sinensis grows on the wall,
softening its industrial monumentality. The open
area has in-situ concrete paving laid in slabs of 3 x
3m. Two planting beds have been created within this
pavement. The volleyball and pétanque pitches are
sunk 450mm below ground level. In keeping with
the rest of the park, no trees have been planted in
the promenade at this point. Access is provided by
two ramps which are angled slightly from the recti-
linear geometry of the games pitches.
The pitches have a crown which sheds storm-water
to the edges where it is picked up by a drain and
led off into a sewer. Lighting is provided by fittings
secured to the wall and from uplighters beneath
thePrunus and Crataegus trees. Once again, the
influence of projects in Barcelona is apparent in this
method of lighting, which creates a striking effect.
The concrete wall used to carry one of two rails
for a crane which unloaded coal and later gravel
and stone for harbourside storage. The structure
also formed one of the walls of a storage building.
When designing the park, the decision was taken to
demolish most of the building but to retain this wall
as a feature which referred to the site’s heritage.
A full survey was undertaken in plan and elevation
and an assessment of the amount of stabilisation
and repair necessary was made. The intention was
not to attempt a cosmetic transformation of the
wall but to retain its industrial character. However,
several espaliers were secured to the eastern side
of the wall up to a height of 2.5m as a support for
theWisteria.A new coping has been made for the wall, which
hides some of the damage caused when the crane
was taken off its rails, and this also secures the top
of the espaliers. Cables for the light fittings are also
hidden within this construction.