Architectural drawings

The collection of architectural drawings consists c. 300.000 items. The Library collects drawings from Danish architects, both of completed buildings such as measurings of national and foreign architecture, besides drawings from the architectural school and travel sketches. As far as dating is concerned the stock spans the period from the early absolutist era, through the 17th century right up to recent times. More

Focus

The collections' focus is on Danish architecture from the early 19th to the late 20th century. Its extensive holding cover large amounts of drawings by C.F. Hansen, Arne Jacobsen, M.G. Bindesbøll, Hack Kampmann, Kay Fisker, Ivar Bentsen, Martin Nyrop, Anton Rosen, Christian Hansen, C.F. Harsdorff, Carl Petersen, Poul Henningsen, Mogens Lassen, Vilhelm Dahlerup, Ulrik Plesner and many, many more, both better and lesser known architects.

Use

The drawings provide valuable assistance to architecture historians, restoration architects as well as those practising the profession today. On the one hand, many drawings document what was built, or they document the state of a given building at a certain point in time. On the other, many of them are also recordings of sources of inspiration, of practices, proposals and sketches for buildings that increase our understanding of a given architect's or period's interesses and ideals.
The architectural drawings collection is supplemented by the collections of architectural photographs, architectural models, and architect's archives.

How do I search?

Via the library catalogue, where searching can be by architect’s name, topography as well as searches of a more systematic character.

Digital versions

All drawings can be searched for in the library catalogue. A large number of the drawings (2014: c. 8000 drawings) have been digitised and can be found also via the search function in the box to the right. We ask you not to order these drawings if you can do with the digitized versions, as part of the reason for the digitalisation has been conservation efforts.

How do I view?

The drawings are reserved via the Library’s catalogue and must be requested for viewing in the study room in Søborg.
Please, remember to book a time for your visit to the study room in Søborg. - Reserve time

Reproductions, etc.

The photographs cannot be lent out, but scannings or photographs of them can be ordered.
We refer all those interested to the Library’s general regulations regarding photographs and scanning (see section on Photo Service & Copyright), and ask them to be aware that the responsibility for clarification of any artistic copyright rests with the borrower.