The Queer Paradox

Because of our understanding of gender and sexuality in Western societies is traditionally built on heteronormative ideals, the unfolding and exploration of a queer identity can be a sensitive and fragile process, happening in secrecy, behind closed doors or in shadows of the city – spaces free from potential stigmatisation and judgment.

Through different spatial interventions, this project aims to enable a new spatial behaviour and queer experience, in which the queer individual is supported in their exploration and expression of non-conforming gender and sexual identities. In turn, this will create a stronger community, able to confront and challenge the heteronormativity causing their stigmatisation.

The project manifests itself through an investigation of a potential new typology of a safe, queer space in the city. It balances the concepts of exclusion and inclusion, and the paradoxical need for both – the queer individual seeking safety and anonymity from societal stigma, and the queer community seeking acceptance and public confrontation of heteronormative assumptions.

It asks questions on how far architecture (and we as architects) can go in assisting the stigmatised and marginalised, in changing and better their position in society. It also ask if it is possible to work toward inclusivity in the urban realm, without working with public spaces.

Located in Copenhagen, underneath the northern ramp leading up to Langebro, a disused parking garage has been transformed into a prototype of a new queer typology, which can act as both an exploratory journey through non-conforming gender and sexual identities, as well as a social and activist hub for the community in Copenhagen at-large.