Hot Works and Renovation Fires

This week’s issue of Burning Matters undoubtedly hits a little bit close to home – Denmark, to be exact.

If you have read the “About the Author” introduction, you know that I spent seven meaningful years of teaching and mentoring at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). While living in (greater) Copenhagen, I became well-acquainted with the city's numerous architectural landmarks.

Each structure, from historic buildings to modern architectural landmarks, has added to the fairytale-like charm of Copenhagen, with the Børsen building as a notable example. Built in the first half of the 1600s, Børsen, which hosted the Danish stock exchange until 1974, was one of the most distinguished examples of Dutch Renaissance. It was situated near the waterfront of Slotsholmen, next to Christiansborg Palace, which houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s office and the Supreme court. Combing this with the fact that it had a remarkable spire, it was a building that was ‘impossible’ to miss for people that visited the Danish capital.

Unfortunately, and despite lessons that could have been learned from the Glasgow School of Art (Mackintosh Building) - which burned down twice! - and the Notre Dame fire in Paris, Børsen also fell victim to a renovation fire that resulted in a significant financial and an irreplaceable cultural loss.