Dansk Arkitektur Center

About the museum

The Dansk Arkitektur Center was founded in 1985 as a foundation, supported by associations from the construction and architecture sectors. It first moved into an old warehouse on Strandgade in Christianshavn and showed Danish and international architecture there in exhibitions, debates, and educational programs. In the first years, the financial situation was often tight.

From 2001, a public-private partnership between the Danish state and the Realdania foundation secured the future of the center; since then Kent Martinussen has headed it. The DAC also organizes the Danish contribution to the Architecture Biennale in Venice and won the Golden Lion in 2006 with "Co-evolution".

In 2018 the DAC moved into the new BLOX building on the harbor, designed by the firm OMA around Rem Koolhaas and Ellen van Loon. The glass building spans a street and houses apartments, offices, and restaurants in addition to the center. Here the DAC has significantly larger spaces for exhibitions, events, and education.

In 2023, the year of the World Capital of Architecture, the first permanent gallery of Danish architecture, "So Danish!", opened. In addition, the center shows changing exhibitions on the city, climate, and design, the children's world Educatorium, and the slide installation by Carsten Höller. Since 2025, King Frederik X has been patron of the center.

Highlights

• National gallery of Danish architecture "So Danish!"
• 40-meter slide "DAC Slide" by Carsten Höller
• Walk-on aerial photo of København "The City Map"
• Children's world Educatorium for building and discovering
• Café roof terraces with views over the harbor
• BLOX building by the architecture firm OMA

Permanent exhibitions

• So Danish! – Denmark's national architecture gallery tells the story with films, models, and original drawings, from Viking ring fortresses to today's conversion projects, complemented by design classics.
• DAC Slide – Walk-through art installation by Carsten Höller: a 40-meter spiral slide across four floors down to the design shop.
• The City Map – A huge aerial photo of København on the floor beneath BLOX that you can walk across to get an overview of the city.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Dansk Arkitektur Center (Stiftung; öffentlich-private Partnerschaft von dänischem Staat und Realdania)

Director

Kent Martinussen

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Fridays 16:00–21:00 free admission for young people under 27

Online tickets are 10% cheaper. Reduced admission prices currently apply while a new exhibition is being installed. Payment by major credit cards or Danish cash.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance and ticket desk are on level -2; from Bryghuspladsen and from Christians Brygge, stairs and elevators lead down, and a guidance system leads to the stairs. The revolving door can be slowed with a button; for large electric wheelchairs, a side door is opened after a phone call. Almost all areas are reachable by elevator, the Educatorium by a lift platform (100 × 77 cm); not accessible are the photo booth, the rainbow staircase, and the upper part of the staircase gallery. Elevators without Braille, no tactile guidance system in the building. Loaner wheelchairs (reserve by 12:00 the day before via welcome@dac.dk). Wheelchair-accessible restrooms on several levels, only the one on level -2 with an automatic door. Two accessible parking spaces and one wide space in the underground garage. Induction loop in the hall during events.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

On weekends and during school holidays, family workshops in the children's world Educatorium, where children can build, draw, and handle materials. The slide may be used only from a certain height. Children under 17 only when accompanied by adults. Strollers can move step-free through the building via elevators and lift platforms; three baby changing tables. Toys in the café and a playground next to BLOX. Children's birthday parties are not offered.

Getting there & parking

About a 10-minute walk from Rådhuspladsen and 15 minutes from København H. From the airport about 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes by public transport. Bicycle garage beneath BLOX with access from Bryghuspladsen.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

DAC Café on the top floor with three roof terraces and views over the harbor and old town; access with an admission ticket or annual pass, on Mondays and Thursdays also dinner. DAC Design Shop with architecture and design items, accessible without a ticket. Unattended coat check with code lockers on level -2; backpacks and larger bags are not allowed in the exhibitions. No space for food brought from outside.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 210 guests.

"The Hall" for conferences and receptions for up to 210 people, café for 40–150 guests, plus meeting rooms (City Room, Harbor Room, Bird Room) and two roof terraces with a greenhouse. The café also accepts private celebrations of up to 90 people. Catering from the in-house kitchen.

Plan your visit