Reviving Vestbad: A Historic Icon in Danish Landscape Design
Vestbad, nestled in the municipality of Brøndby, Denmark, stands as a testament to mid-20th-century Danish landscape architecture. The original design was a collaboration between renowned landscape architect Professor C. Th. Sørensen and Rødovre’s municipal architect, Børge T. Lorentzen. The outdoor pool complex, opened in 1958, exemplifies Sørensen’s signature style, defined by precise geometry, rhythmic repetition, and a thoughtful integration with nature.Sørensen’s vision for Vestbad blended functionality with naturalistic inspiration, creating a landscape that resonated with Denmark’s rural character while serving urban communities. The site’s iconic features included rhythmic sunken sun pits, terraced spectator seating, and tree-lined green spaces. A defining aspect of the design was its creative use of excess soil from nearby housing developments, resulting in distinct topographical forms—a rarity in Denmark’s predominantly flat terrain. Each area, from sun pits to the water playground, was meticulously designed to foster recreation, community, and immersion in the outdoors.
Over time, however, this architectural gem faced neglect. Beaten down by decades of use and minimal maintenance, its pristine features blurred, and some were lost altogether. In 2020, LYTT Architecture completed an ambitious restoration project to revive Vestbadet to its former glory.
LYTT’s Restoration Vision
The restoration of Vestbad focused on returning the outdoor pool complex and its surrounding landscape to their former splendor while meeting modern regulatory and operational standards. Guided by the original design ethos, the restoration blended historical authenticity with contemporary functionality.
One of the key undertakings was the redefinition of the site’s iconic features. The sun pits were carefully reshaped and replanted to restore their sculptural precision.The once-lush vegetation that shielded the site from the surrounding urban environment was replanted, reinvigorating the intended visual barriers and accentuating the terrain’s topographical nuances. Similarly, overgrown and obscuring greenery around the water playground was trimmed, reconnecting this beloved area with the broader landscape.
The site’s pathways and paving received a thoughtful overhaul. The replacement of disjointed, unsightly modern materials with replicas of Sørensen’s original hexagonal paving stones ensured a harmonious blend of form and function.
Vestbadet’s restoration is more than a conservation project; it is a celebration of Sørensen’s timeless vision. LYTT’s efforts bridge the past and present, preserving a cultural landmark while adapting it for future generations. The renewed Vestbad once again invites visitors to experience the unique interplay of architecture, landscape, and leisure that made it an icon of Danish design.
Landscape architecture: LYTT Architecture
Collaborators: Wohlert Arkitekter og NIRAS
Project location: Nykær 26, 2605 Brøndby, Denmark
Year completed: 2020
Photo credits: LYTT Architecture
