The Town Hall at the Edge of the Forest

The ­author, René Kural, describes the distinctiveness of the town hall and takes the reader back to the debate before the architectural competition was ­issued. A heated debate that was cause for wonderment all over the ­country. What took place behind closed doors before the iconic proposal was­­ ­pronounced the winner of the architectural competition in 1939? What happened during the following years until the building was finally inaugurated on 16 March 1942? Few people are aware that the original design for the town hall included a library and a movie theatre, but what happened to this unique functional configuration?  

Søllerød Town Hall was ahead of its time but has been consistently ill-fated in relation to one particular problem: lack of space. Over the years, this led to numerous eccentric proposals for solutions, with the expansion in 1965 constituting the first serious proposition. 

The book draws upon a wide range of comprehensive archival material, some of which is unique and has rarely – or never before – been published. The comprehensive and varied photographic material contributes significantly to an understanding of the particular qualities inherent in both the town hall and the interior. The book addresses both the professional and the interested reader.

Findes også på dansk: "Rådhuset i skovbrynet. Om Søllerød Rådhus tegnet af Arne Jacobsen og Flemming Lassen".