- Interior
Vedbaek IV, located in Vedbæk, a picturesque coastal town near Copenhagen, Denmark, is an impressive mix of historic charm and contemporary architecture. The house, measuring 211 m², was completed in 2015 and is owned by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, a renowned architect, designer and photographer, who lives there with his wife and two children.
The original house, built in 1911, was designed by architects H. Wright and E.V. Marston. Wright, Copenhagen's city architect at the time, was inspired by a house he had previously designed, after the then owner, Fritz Johannsen, noticed it and decided to have a similar house built. This house, called Rosenhøj, meaning ‘Rose Hill’, was built at a time when wealthy citizens of Copenhagen started building summer houses along the northern coastline. Vedbæk, which was only a small fishing village at the time, became a popular location because of its idyllic location - with forests, fields and water nearby. Vedbaek IV's house was originally built on the site of a wooden hotel that had burned down in 1898. The architectural style of the house was heavily influenced by the building styles popular at the time from southern Germany and northern Italy, which can be seen in the Tyrolean influences such as the high roofline and wooden balconies overlooking the sea. Although Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen admits he does not like the exterior of the house very much, he acknowledges the special characteristics that make the building unique. 
In 1913, just two years after the original house was built, a conservatory or winter garden was added, which now serves as a bedroom and bathroom. Fritz Johannsen, the then owner, was an avid traveler with a great fascination for Italy and France. These travel experiences are reflected in the eclectic interior style of the house, in which ornaments vary from neoclassicism to Art Deco. When Jonas and his family bought the house, it was in a neglected state. The house had been occupied by various owners over the years, each of whom had made small additions, which together led to a disjointed set of styles. The floors consisted of seven different types, spread over the same number of layers. The rear part of the house, where the entrance and children's rooms are located, was a modern addition that was well integrated from the outside, but did not fit in with the rest of the house from the inside. 
The architectural style of the house was heavily influenced by the building styles popular at the time from southern Germany and northern Italy, which can be seen by the Tyrolean influences
The renovation, led by Jonas, started with removing the old floors and leveling the base. A magnetite floor was chosen, which offered an industrial contrast with the ornamented historic walls and ceilings, and at the same time subtly referred to the Italian Stucco Luster technique. This new floor provided a uniform appearance within the house and emphasized the beautiful original decor. To let in more light, niches and penetrations were strategically created in the walls, so that the once dark rooms are now bathed in natural light. Another major change was the installation of a small circular staircase connecting the living room with the bedroom, creating a harmonious connection to create more unity in the house. The kitchen was modernized, with respect for the historic character of the house. Old elements, such as the original herringbone floor, were seamlessly integrated at an early stage. 
Vedbaek IV is a wonderful example today. How modern functionality can be combined with historic charm, resulting in a home that is not only visually impressive, but also practical and comfortable. The house reflects Jonas' commitment to sustainable design principles, in which the preservation of cultural and architectural heritage plays a key role.
Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen
Text by Celien Hemelaer