The Nærum Allotment Gardens (Nærum Kolonihave) Is A Unique And Iconic Area In Nærum, A Northern Suburb Of Copenhagen, Denmark. Designed In 1948 By The Renowned Danish Landscape Architect Carl Theodor Sørensen (1893–1979), The Gardens Are Celebrated For Their Distinctive Oval-Shaped Plots, Which Create A Harmonious And Visually Striking Landscape.
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I love looking at unusual gardening and horticultural systems and techniques. We can learn so much from them. Previously I have examined the Chinampas and the Hortillonnages de Amiens. Today I look at an architectural oddity. The Nærum “Allotment” Gardens.
Nærum Allotment Gardens: Key Features & Background:
Design Concept:
Sørensen arranged 40 oval-shaped garden plots within a gently sloping grassy field, each enclosed by privet hedges (a type of dense shrub).
The ovals vary in size but maintain a consistent aesthetic, blending natural curves with structured landscaping.
The design was inspired by traditional English cottage gardens but reinterpreted with a modernist Danish sensibility.
Purpose & Function:
The gardens were intended as allotment gardens (kolonihaver), providing city dwellers with small plots to grow flowers, vegetables, and fruit. However, unlike British allotments, that are stand alone, these are attached to each house and are no more than gardens.
Unlike rigid rectangular plots, the ovals create a more organic, communal feel while still offering privacy. The downside is the land that stands between them is unused as gardens. As much as is love oval shapes gardens use space more effectively when they are square or rectangular.
Architectural & Cultural Significance:
Sørensen was a pioneer of modernist landscape architecture and often experimented with geometric forms in nature.
The Nærum gardens are considered a masterpiece of 20th-century landscape design, blending functionality with artistic expression.
The site remains a well-preserved example of post-war Danish urban planning.
Present-Day Status:
The gardens are still in use today, maintained by their owners under strict guidelines to preserve Sørensen’s original vision.
They are a protected cultural heritage site, attracting architecture and garden enthusiasts.
However I find it strange to see them sandwiched between traditional properties with rectangular gardens and an established allotment in the British style.
Why It’s Special:
Architects say The Nærum Allotment Gardens stand out for their playful yet disciplined design, demonstrating how urban green spaces can be both practical and beautiful. Sørensen’s work influenced later landscape architects. The project remains a beloved example of Danish modernist design.
I find the design interesting but actually dislike the waste that ovals create. Maybe I should be Danish to appreciate it more!
