As one of the world’s first civil airport terminals, the Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal opened in April 1939. Today, it is recognised as one of the earliest and most accomplished examples of Danish modernism and welcomes heads of state, royalty, and other distinguished guests – most recently the Chinese pandas.

To understand how groundbreaking the terminal was, it must be seen in the context of its time. It was built during a transitional period when architecture had long focused on the form of buildings. Vilhelm Lauritzen’s approach was far more concerned with the usability of the building.

When he began designing the terminal in 1936, commercial aviation was still new. There was no set model for what an airport should look like. As a functionalist, he divided the design into an airside and a landside: the entrance and landside traffic along one side of the building, and air traffic and gates along the other. Today, this is still the way most of the world’s airports are designed.

“The terminal is a union of functional and structurally complex solutions. It is built on clear principles and refined with well-considered details. The elegant curved fittings – the ceiling, staircase, and brass handrail – stand in beautiful harmony with the consistently modular spaces. Vilhelm Lauritzen so aptly called it ‘festive optimism’,” says Anne Møller Sørensen, partner at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, architect and art historian.

Denmark’s largest relocation in history

Developments in modern air traffic and increasing passenger numbers meant that 60 years later, the old terminal would either have to be moved or demolished. As the building was recognised as a functionalist masterpiece, then Minister for Energy and the Environment, Svend Auken, decided in August 1998 to invest DKK 100 million in moving it.

One September night in 1999, the 110-metre-long, 2,240-ton terminal was moved two kilometres across the runway to its new location in Maglebylille – the largest relocation in Danish history. In the background, a car loaded with explosives and several bulldozers stood ready in case the move took too long and the runways needed to be cleared quickly for departing aircraft. This was not necessary, and the terminal arrived safely at its new destination. It was subsequently restored and is now listed.

“The terminal is still relevant today. It is distinctive, and the central hall can accommodate many different events. It stands as a dignified representative of Danish modernism, with its Nordic expression and high spatial quality. The central hall is generous and unpretentious, and still today invites festive gatherings,” says Anne Møller Sørensen.

The terminal’s most recent distinguished guests include the two Chinese pandas, which have just moved into Copenhagen Zoo.