Dehn’s Mansion

A Dialogue Across Centuries – Restoring Dehn's Mansion for the Future

In the heart of Copenhagen’s Frederiksstaden, Dehn's Mansion has stood as a distinguished example of Danish neoclassicism for over two centuries. Built as a grand residence for the influential Dehn family, the palace later served a variety of cultural and official purposes, becoming woven into the city’s civic and architectural fabric. The piano nobile, beletage in Danish, designed by the renowned architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, is celebrated for its refined interiors and meticulous detailing, marking the building as an important part of Denmark’s cultural heritage.

The Fire That Changed Everything

That heritage came under threat in 2010, when a devastating fire tore through the property. The blaze destroyed much of the structure, including the original smoked oak parquet flooring in the piano nobile. The loss raised a critical question: how could the palace be restored in a way that would honour its original design while allowing it to function in the modern era?

A Restoration Rooted in Respect

The restoration, completed in 2016 by Wohlert Arkitekter A/S, Danmarks Apotekerforening, and Kjell Pedersen Entreprise A/S, was both sensitive and ambitious. Roof, wall, and deck constructions were painstakingly rebuilt to match the original specifications, while the interiors were adapted to accommodate contemporary office use. Crucially, the renovation integrated modern comfort and technology without compromising the building’s historical character.

Flooring as a Link Between Past and Present

A key element in maintaining this authenticity was the flooring. Hørning supplied smoked oak parquet in a square pattern of seven staves, replicating the original 560 m² layout in the piano nobile. The choice of material was not merely aesthetic; in preservation-worthy buildings, authentic materials provide both visual continuity and long-term durability, ensuring that spaces can serve future generations without losing their historic integrity.

Heritage Meets Modern Functionality

Today, Dehn's Mansion stands as a model of how heritage restoration can be more than an exercise in replication. It is a dialogue across centuries, where the craftsmanship and materiality of the past live in harmony with the demands of the present. For architects, it offers a compelling example of how respect for history and innovative adaptation can coexist - ensuring that the legacy of a building is not only preserved, but allowed to evolve.

Photos by: Kjell Pedersen Entreprise A/S - from the restoration