A courtyard for all

In the middle of Odense, the largest city on the island of Funen in Denmark, the residential block Kongens Karré offers a calm refuge for its residents. The three-storey housing complex encloses a courtyard that functions as a social space for the building’s 84 residential units.
 
Designed by the Danish Creo Arkitekter, the project combines modern urban living with a strong focus on sustainability, community and material quality. The courtyard marks the centre of the development: elevated to the first floor it allows more hours of sunlight for golden evening hours. Warm colours, generous greenery and rounded edges define the space, which is laid out like a labyrinth.
 
Between picturesque plant beds and curved paths, residents find intimate corners for quiet moments as well as open areas for shared activity. A large tree at the centre serves as a natural gathering point, visually and socially connecting the homes around it.

The name Kongens Karré refers to the site’s history. According to old maps, a building called Kongehuset – King’s house – once stood here. Despite its royal-sounding heritage, today’s focus lies firmly on contemporary living. All apartments are accessible via elevators, ensuring level-free access throughout. The ground floor accommodates parking and a large communal room with street-facing windows, reinforcing the connection with city life. 
 
For the courtyard, the architects selected the paving brick Odense med Kul (Odense with coal): a deliberate reference to the city’s most common brick – named after Odense itself. Its texture and its warm yellow tone with subtly burnt edges can be found throughout the city.
 
The Odense paving bricks are produced from slate-containing clay a natural material which ensures a robust and a long lifespan, giving them exceptional durability, low water absorption and resistance to winter salting, grease and oil.