A collaborative group of Danish architects, artists, and artisans has completed an innovative transformation of a former funeral chapel and its surrounding garden in Copenhagen. The project, known as "The Chapel Retold," represents a new approach to architectural renovation that emphasizes preservation and minimal intervention over demolition and reconstruction.

The 300-square-meter chapel, located on the Frederiksberg Hospital site, was renovated in 2025 under the leadership of architects Emilie Boye Kjær, Ebbe Lavsen, and Frederik Koefoed. The project was curated by architect Sidsel Gelting Hodge and art historian Marianne Krogh, with photography by Laura Stamer documenting the transformation process.

The renovation philosophy centered on maximizing the potential of existing materials rather than introducing new ones. The team focused on cleaning, cutting back, treating, and processing materials already present at the site, including stone, masonry, surfaces, doors, and windows. Any additional materials were sourced from construction site remnants, basements, and other reclaimed sources.

Several key interventions enhanced the building's original architectural qualities while making it more accessible to the public. The gate's original decorative elements were converted into functional features, while damaged bricks were repaired using techniques that deliberately show traces of the building's age and history. The entire structure received limewash and paint treatment based on the original architect's color scheme.

One of the most significant changes involved installing a large reclaimed window from a construction site in Amager. This window was carefully restored and integrated into the façade, flooding the former funeral preparation space with natural daylight. The garden underwent equally dramatic changes, with the hedge that previously separated the private area from the city being removed to encourage new connections and community encounters.

The interdisciplinary team included specialists from various fields working together on different aspects of the project. Demolition work was handled by AVC Enterprise, while stonework was completed by Herlev Stenhuggeri and Brandt Diamant. Masonry work was performed by Den Cyklende Murer, and carpentry was undertaken by Log Ladies and Lærlinge for Bæredygtighed. Additional contributions came from visual artist Rasmus Søndergaard Johannsen, writer and cultural geographer Emmy Laura Pérez Fjalland, and ceramicist Karoline Bach Larsen.

The project exemplifies a growing trend in contemporary architecture that challenges the conventional approach of demolition and rebuilding. Instead, it demonstrates how thorough analysis of existing assets, building conditions, natural ventilation systems, and environmental interactions can lead to more sustainable outcomes. This methodology requires extensive collaboration between architects, artists, and skilled craftspeople.

"The Chapel Retold" is part of the broader Agenda Earth initiative, which explores future possibilities for built environments and landscapes through both written and visual presentations. The initiative is operated by the Danish Association of Architects in partnership with the Dreyers Fond Foundation. Additional funding support came from the Danish Arts Foundation and several other foundations including Bestles Fond, Knud Højgaards Fond, and Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond.

The project materials incorporated products from several manufacturers, including Auro, Ifö Electric, Kvadrat, and Linolie & Pigment A/S. The completed renovation stands as a testament to the potential for adaptive reuse in contemporary architecture, showing how historic structures can be given new life while honoring their original character and minimizing environmental impact.