Ulrik Adolph Plesner, usually known as Ulrik Plesner (17 May 1861 in Vedersø – 22 November 1933 in Skagen) was an innovative Danish architect who designed in a National Romantic style at the beginning of the 20th century. He is remembered in particular for his influence on the style of architecture practiced in Skagen in the north of Jutland.
Early life
Born in Vedersø near Ringkøbing on the west coast of Jutland, he was the son of parish priest J.F. Plesner. After attending the Copenhagen Technical School (Teknisk Selskabs Skole), he entered the school of architecture at the Royal Danish Academy where he studied under Martin Nyrop, graduating in 1893. He developed a simple style typified by compact structures of red brick with white cornices and trimmings.
Career
Plesner was first noted for an extension to Brøndums Hotel in Skagen which he completed in 1892. Much of his subsequent work was in Skagen where he lived for extended periods and became closely associated with the colony of artists known as the Skagen Painters. Highly respected by his colleagues, he contributed to the development of the main style of the period, Historicism. He also associated with Thorvald Bindesbøll who collaborated with him, often designing interiors in the Art Nouveau style.
Contribution to Skagen architecture
Plesner first arrived in Skagen in 1891 in connection with the establishment of Højen Lighthouse. The same year he designed the first extension of Brøndums Hotel. The same year, he renovated the house belonging to P.S. Krøyer and in 1913 designed a house for Michael and Anna Ancher. In 1919, he drew up early designs for Skagens Museum and went on to design the town’s railway station, hospital, bank, harbor-master’s residence, post office and numerous private houses. Plesner died of a heart attack in 1933 while staying in Brøndums Hotel. The last building he designed before his death was Ålbæk Station on the railway from Skagen to Frederikshavn.
Skagen Church renovated by Ulrik Plesner in 1910
Skagen railway station (Danish: Skagen Banegård) is the main railway station serving the town of Skagen in Vendsyssel, Denmark.
Old villa at Bergensgade in Østerbro in Copenhagen. It was build as a winter residence for the painter Peder Severin Krøyer (1851-1909) in 1897 but has later been rebuild.
The Johannes Larsen Museum former home of the Danish painter Johannes Larsen in Kerteminde, Funen, Denmark, now converted to an art museum. The old and still functioning windmill in the background is also part of the museum.
Gammeltorv 8, Copenhagen. (1905-1906). Arkitekt: Ulrik Plesner. Ornamentik: Thorvald Bindesbøll.
Høsterkøb Church (Danish: Høsterkøb Kirke) is a parish church in the village of Høsterkøb, Rudersdal Municipality, some 20 km north of central Copenhagen, Denmark.
The church was designed by Ulrik Plesner. Construction began in 1907 and it was inaugurated on 5 June 1907.
Esbjerg Post House (1907-08)
Asmildkloster Agricultural School (1908)
Vodroffshus, Frederiksberg (1908)
Building build to a design by Ulrik Plesner and Aage Langeland-Mathiesen in 1910 at Gammel Mønt in Indre By in Copenhagen.
Hafnia, København (1912) [Across the street from the National Bank of Denmark]
Klitgaarden (lit. “The Dune House”) is a former summer residence of the Danish royal family situated just south of Skagen on the northern tip of Jutland. The house was designed by Ulrik Plesner for King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine and completed in 1914. It is now owned and run by a trust and serves as a retreat for artists and scientists.
(1914) Klitgaarden – Wikipedia
Østifternes Credit Union, København (1916) [Not there anymore]
And much more.
Kastellet and the Fortification Ring, Copenhagen, Denmark
Københavns Toldbod – Copenhagen Custom Tax Buildings
Københavns Frihavn – Copenhagen Freeport
Christiansborg Slot – Christiansborg Castle
Frederiksberg Palace, Frederiksberg City Hall / Command Central
House of Architectural Heritage
King of the hill: Elephants, elegance and 170 years of Carlsberg
Thor in battle with the ‘giants’
Christianshavn, København, Danmark
Retired crane becomes luxury-retreat
The Olsen Gang’s Big Score, The Dragon House & The Gefion Fountain
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Frederiksberg Palace, Frederiksberg City Hall / Command Central
Valdemar’s Castle, Egeskov and Svendborg
Kronborg Castle and Helsingør Shipyard
Sønderborg Castle and Sønderborg Shipyard
More to come.
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