Kay Fisker: Danish Functionalism and Block-based Housing

This book focuses on Kay Fisker (1893-1965)’s housing
estates in Copenhagen. A leading exponent of Danish Functionalism, Fisker was influenced
by Louis Sullivan, and had a strong belief in continuity, putting modernism in
perspective and identifying precedents. He built many large-scale housing
schemes, mostly for non-profit workers' housing associations, and developed
innovative and beautifully considered high-density, low-rise block schemes,
which have proven useful and influential to the growing number of contemporary
architects who have examined his designs.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs and architectural
drawings, this book documents and critically analyses three of Kay Fisker's
seminal housing projects in Copenhagen: Hornbaekhus (1923); Vestersohus
(1935-39); and Dronningegarden (1943-58). These projects reflect how Fisker's
work contains valuable lessons for contemporary architects in economy,
precision and generosity in housing design. Essays by Martin Søberg, Poul
Sverrild and Job Floris set Fisker’s work within their historical, social
and architectural context. In the final section, architects from three leading
contemporary practices – Clancy Moore, Monadnock and Tony Fretton - discuss how
Kay Fisker has influenced their own approaches and work.