Kebony Brings Historic Military Site To
Life With Interactive Landscaping
The historic ramparts at Vestvolden,
Copenhagen, have been given another
lease of life as the defining feature within
the large municipal park. Designed by
VEGA architects to bring the incredible
story of the region’s history to life, “Play
on the ramparts” is situated on the old
fortifications, introducing play and
movement to this historical landscape.
Visitors to the expansive and undulating
park are greet ed by three thematic
education stations installed in and
amongst the physical remnants of a
bygone era. The stations, in one small
corner of the park, are designed to create
a bridge between past and present, using
traditional materials with a modern,
sustainable twist, such as Kebony’s
62 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 15
sustainable alternative to tropical wood.
The VEGA Park and playground project
sits in one corner of the 10km wedge of
outdoor space in Denmark’s capital, for
out points has been restored, which once
provided important military vantage point
and now encourages visitors to scale the
steep slope, exploring the whole park.
families to explore, play and learn about
The authorisation from the Heritage
the area’s history. The park experience is
Agency came with the proviso that
designed so that visitors can imagine how
additions to the park effectively conveyed
life was for soldiers; the tribulations of
the original story. Indeed, all structures
daily life and the manually and physically
have been built in such a way so that they
challenging chores they had to complete
can easily be removed without causing
to maintain the integrity of the armouries.
permanent damage or changes to the
The playground is also themed to include
historic ramparts. Indeed, sustainability
features specific to the region, for example
has been given precedent across the
the light ‘pavillons’ are interpretations
project and so Kebony’s alternative to
of the former tent structures used for
tropical timber has been used to great
camping on the ramparts when having
effect, with its superior environmental
training sessions. One of the original look-
credentials.