Opera Park: urban nature in Copenhagen
- Photography: Francisco Tirado
The Danish architectural firm Cobe has seen the possibilities in a former industrial site in Copenhagen to reinvent it and turn it into a thriving urban nature space: the Opera Park.
A global collection
This public space has become a global variety collection with 628 trees, 80,000 herbaceous perennials and shrubs and 40,000 bulb plants. 223 unique species from around the world, both exotic and local, make for a sensory and visual experience that creates a counterpoint to Copenhagen’s inner harbor and bustling city life.
The park is designed to transform with the seasons through hues and textures. A dynamic space that accompanies the passage of time with vibrant colors in spring and the quiet beauty of evergreens in winter. In turn, this environment is more than an experience for us, as it serves as a refuge for birds and insects, building a thriving ecosystem within the city.
A sustainable concept
Beyond its aesthetic design, Opera Park is also a statement of intent regarding sustainability and ecological advancement. It serves as an example of innovation with the incorporation of subway rain tanks that self-sustain the garden. The construction with permeable materials, as well as the strategic placement of the rainbeds, enhance water evaporation and infiltration.
The park rises slightly above the water level, protecting the area from potential flooding and rising harbor water levels, ensuring urban resilience.
This project represents a contemporary integration of nature in urban areas, considering the environment and its possibilities and adapting to the current way of life. A green, conscious and friendly refuge that sets a precedent for the future.
