In the latest issue of Architectural Digest (AD) Danish architect Bjarke Ingels mentioned about a video conference with a fellow mate whilst in his house- which happens to be a 450 ton ferry docked in Copenhagen- the mate asked if he was on a spaceship.
The November Issue of the same magazine printed an interview where the architect said ?people had warned me that living on a houseboat was simultaneously the best and the worst thing.??When it?s great, it’s epically great.?
All Hands On Deck
The 46 yrs old ? starchitect?, who designed the Iconic building across the globe, starting from his home country to the US and China- he rebuilt The World Trade Centre in New York and the double- vaulted building for Shanghai Expo 2010.
Establishing the (BIG) Bjarke Ingels Group in 2005, he took an expedient approach to remodeling the 126-foot ship. ? It is a boat, so it wants to be symmetrical,? Ingels said.? Part of the project was restoring that symmetry along both the axes.?
The former ferryboat is docked near Refshaleoen, an erstwhile industrial area which revived few years ago, owing to the affordable housing projects designed by Ingels, Urban Rigger as well as home for Norma, the award winning eatery where tables are to be booked in advance.
The star architect bought the doomed ferryboat in 2016, when his architect wife Otero embarked on their journey of remodeling the metallic giant. Despite struggling in the first winter with intermittent heating and running water, they often had to resort to bottled water to bathe before meeting, but both of them were overwhelmed with the epic views, that don’t get them down.? It has the past, present, and the future of Copenhagen all in one glance,? Ingles said.“Look east and you can see the sun rising. Look west and you can see the sun setting over the queen’s palace.?
All Aboard
After unveiling the Oceanix City, in 2019. His family home project has brought his fascination of living on water into reality.
Meanwhile, the interiors are a pure mix of original maritime features, accessories designed by Ingles and others and memento from the couples travel diaries.
The sectional division of the ferry houses the living room in the upper level, boasting the picturesque of the city?s harbor. The room hosts a suspended fireplace, alongside an oversized sofa by Kibisi. The kitchen on the other side was designed using Oak cabinetry and table by Italian architect Luca Cipelletti, and beamed by Ingel?s Artemide pendant lights.
The deck on the lower side of the boathouse has the family playroom, painted entirely in white and later accentuated with colorful texture including hand-woven bean bags and pillows.