Although various studies have addressed and demonstrated the Japanese contributions to Western architecture, there is still limited knowledge and research on what East Asia has meant for modern Danish and Northern European architecture. The internationally renowned Danish post-war buildings of the mid-twentieth century have left a leading legacy that has greatly influenced the domestic sphere and has further led the world in terms of good design and welfare. Relevant researchers have pointed out a remarkable and even controversial formal and conceptual connection between traditional Japanese architecture and some of the most outstanding domestic buildings that marked this age, where there is a special dialogue with Nature. However, they have presented it in general terms, lacking an in-depth and complete architectural analysis of how this connection is achieved. This study presents the first detailed examination of how and by what means this fascinating relationship was achieved in some outstanding case studies in Denmark. It analyses key architectural parameters from different optical lenses and design scales that frame the relationship with the surrounding nature, in order to demonstrate the influence and transformative effect of particular traditional Japanese buildings on them. In other words, it determines how the so-called 'European Japonisme' was translated into these Danish architectural landmarks, which has never been the subject of an integrated, comprehensive study. The findings enrich and transform our understanding of modern Danish architecture, and make an important contribution to our comprehension of the impact that traditional Japanese architecture had on Nordic countries´ modern architecture, to activate the cross-cultural exchange between both cultures.

Paper presented at the International Convention of Asian Scholars, ICAS12, Kyoto, Japan