Israels Plads

The history of Israels Plads reflects the history of Copenhagen’s transformation. This central plaza was once where the city ended in a ring of protective fortification. As the city gradually expanded, the plaza became a vibrant market square, until the 1950s, when it was turned into a lifeless car park. With the transformation of Israels Plads, the idea is to celebrate the significance and the history of the square and to revitalize it, turning it into a vibrant, diverse plaza for leisure and sport used by all kinds of people. The surface of the plaza is elevated above the existing streets, like an urban carpet. It hovers over the many cars that once dominated Israels Plads, which are now placed underground. The cars are literally swept under the carpet.

Today, Israels Plads is a vibrant and active urban place that celebrates diversity and livability. It serves as a schoolyard during the daytime, a public basketball court in the afternoon and a dining room in the evening; a skate park during the weekday and a flea market during the weekend.

On the surface, unique facilities have been created to inspire and encourage movement and exercise. The cut-outs feature round bench formations underneath the trees, where people can observe the life unfolding on the plaza.

Israels Plads is located where the green belt of parkscapes meet the Copenhagen city blocks. In order to embrace both conditions, the urban surface of the plaza is interrupted by clusters of circular pockets with trees spreading from the neighboring H. C. Ørsted Park.