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Josephine Yaa Akuamoa relocated a five-year-old custom kitchen from her design studio to her new home on Copenhagen’s Paper Island. The ash and zinc unit, created by Garde Hvalsøe, serves as the central element of the residence. The move highlights a growing trend of repurposing high-end bespoke interiors in new architectural contexts.
A five-year-old custom kitchen originally built for a design studio has been physically relocated to serve as the central feature of a new home on Copenhagen’s Paper Island. The unit, crafted by Danish firm Garde Hvalsøe for Josephine Yaa Akuamoa’s studio File Under Pop, was moved into her newly constructed residence, marking a distinctive approach to interior design that prioritizes the reuse of bespoke, high-end fixtures over new construction.
The kitchen, identified as Garde Hvalsøe’s Solid model, features long ash planks on finger-jointed drawer fronts and chamfered sides that allow the units to sit flush, creating a seamless visual line. The upper cabinets utilize the brand’s Koshi-do fronts, a design developed in collaboration with Copenhagen-based OEO Studio to blend Japanese aesthetics with Danish craftsmanship. According to the original report, the unit was built on a zinc frame, combining industrial durability with natural wood grain.
Before the kitchen could be installed, the renovation team stripped the new house back to its structural core. This process involved demolishing the existing kitchen, electrical installations, bathroom, wooden wall panels, and the staircase connecting all three floors. The relocated kitchen now anchors the ground floor, which also houses the dining area. Bedrooms occupy the middle level, while an adaptable room sits at the top of the structure.
Garde Hvalsøe partner and CEO Søren Lundh Aagaard described the relocation as both a logistical challenge and a design statement. He noted that bringing a previously lived-in object into a newly built space required careful integration. The home’s interior palette complements the kitchen, using nearly equal parts wood, raw stone, and ceramics to reflect the surrounding maritime environment.
Repurposing Bespoke Interiors in New Builds
This project illustrates a shift in high-end residential design where bespoke fixtures are treated as movable assets rather than permanent architectural elements. By relocating a five-year-old kitchen, the homeowner avoided the environmental and financial costs of commissioning a new custom unit. The decision challenges the conventional notion that luxury interiors must be newly fabricated for each specific site. Instead, it suggests that high-quality, modular cabinetry can be adapted to new contexts, provided the structural and aesthetic requirements are met.
The integration of the kitchen into the broader design scheme also highlights the importance of material continuity. The ash wood of the kitchen echoes the limestone and ceramics used elsewhere in the home, creating a cohesive narrative that links the interior to the island’s historic harbor architecture. This approach allows the reused element to feel native to the space rather than incongruous.
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Historical Context of Paper Island
Copenhagen’s Paper Island has a layered history that informs the architectural choices of its new developments. The site previously served as an armory for the Danish navy under Christian IV and later functioned as a paper warehouse for national newspapers. The new building’s contemporary design draws directly on this heritage, with wooden maritime gates framing the structure and a diagonal roof element referencing Copenhagen’s harbor architecture.
The interior design of Akuamoa’s home takes cues from the island’s geography, with views of the sea and sky influencing the material palette. The use of limestone in the home echoes the sandstone harbor walls and yellow brick of neighboring buildings, while the ash wood throughout the residence complements the zinc and lava sink materials of the relocated kitchen.
“Bringing something previously used and lived in into a newly built space was both a challenge and a statement.”
— Søren Lundh Aagaard, partner and CEO of Garde Hvalsøe
modular high-end kitchen cabinetry
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Logistical Details of Kitchen Relocation
While the aesthetic and architectural outcomes are well-documented, specific logistical details regarding the physical move remain unclear. It is not specified how the heavy ash and zinc structure was disassembled, transported, and reassembled without damage. Additionally, the exact cost savings compared to commissioning a new unit have not been disclosed. The report does not clarify if any modifications were required to the kitchen’s internal plumbing or electrical connections to fit the new ground-floor layout.
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Integration of Custom Wardrobes
Garde Hvalsøe also crafted bespoke ash wardrobes for the residence, which are expected to complete the interior narrative established by the kitchen. The focus now shifts to the long-term performance of the relocated unit within the new maritime climate of Paper Island. Observers will likely note how the ash and zinc materials weather over time compared to their previous indoor studio environment. The project may influence future designs where clients seek to retain high-value custom fixtures during property moves.
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Key Questions
Who designed the kitchen that was moved?
The kitchen was designed and built by Danish company Garde Hvalsøe. It is their Solid model, featuring ash planks and a zinc frame.
Why was the kitchen relocated instead of replaced?
According to Garde Hvalsøe CEO Søren Lundh Aagaard, the move was a design statement about reusing lived-in objects. It also allowed the homeowner to retain a bespoke piece she already owned.
What is Paper Island?
Paper Island is a location in Copenhagen that historically served as a naval armory and later a paper warehouse. It now features contemporary housing that references its maritime heritage.
What materials were used in the new home’s interior?
The home uses a palette of ash wood, limestone, and ceramics. These materials were chosen to complement the relocated kitchen and reflect the island’s harbor surroundings.
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