BLOX Unpacked

BLOX Unpacked

From Let's Talk Architecture by Danish Architecture Center – DAC

January 29, 2026 · 31 min

About this episode

This episode explores the story behind the BLOX building in Copenhagen, discussing its design, purpose, and evolution over time.

When BLOX opened in 2018, it divided opinion. Designed by OMA as the home of the Danish Architecture Center, the building was unlike anything Copenhagen had seen before, bold, complex and unapologetically different. In this episode, host Michael Booth is joined by DAC CEO Kent Martinussen for a guided tour of BLOX, as the centre prepares an anniversary exhibition marking 40 years of DAC. Together they unpack the story behind the building: the unusual architect selection process, Rem Koolhaas' vision of architecture as urban infrastructure, and the idea of BLOX as a city within a city. Moving from harbour -level plazas to dramatic interior spaces and rooftop terraces, the conversation explores how BLOX has evolved from controversy to everyday use , a flexible, lived-in building where culture, work and city life intersect. Guest: Kent Martinussen, CEO, Danish Architecture Center Host: Michael Booth Let's Talk Architecture is a podcast by Danish Architecture Center. Sound edits by Munck Studios.

People in this episode

Host: Michael Booth

Guest: Kent Martinussen

Topics covered

  • architecture
  • urban infrastructure
  • BLOX
  • Danish Architecture Center
  • Copenhagen
  • cultural spaces

Keywords

  • BLOX
  • Danish Architecture Center
  • OMA
  • Rem Koolhaas
  • urban infrastructure
  • Copenhagen
  • architecture controversy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Danish Architecture Center, OMA

Places: Copenhagen

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