Bagsværd Church

Copenhagen, Denmark

1976

Jørn Utzon's Bagsværd Church (1976) is a masterful integration of the sacred and the everyday, inspired by floating clouds and Romanesque brickwork. Conceived in 1968, the church's most striking feature is its precast concrete shell roof, an undulating form that channels diffuse northern light into the nave. This daring structural solution creates a soaring, almost ethereal interior, contrasting sharply with the church's restrained, orthogonal brick exterior. The interplay of raw concrete inside and warm brick outside reflects Utzon's deep understanding of materiality and light as liturgical elements. The design extends to a series of interconnected courtyards, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior and fostering a communal atmosphere that transcends traditional ecclesiastical typologies.