The King’s Garden of Rosenborg Castle – the oldest example of classical garden design in Denmark – is the site for FABRIC’s installation, the Trylletromler. Literally translated into ‘Zoetrope’, the Trylletromler takes on the most elementary garden element – the Fence, and transforms it to represent the 3 main periods of the site’s history – the original based on principals of Euclidean Geometry, followed by Baroque style mazes and labyrinths and finally being bisected by the ‘kavalergangen’ and the ‘damegangen’ – the 2 tree-lined promenades.
© Walter Herfst
The fence, with each member separated by a solid wedge, in patterns both irregular and repetitive, gives an illusion of transparency while enclosing you within the bounds of the maze. An element such as the fence, usually used to enclose space rather blurs the line between open and enclosed here. What makes it even more engaging is the fact that the peepholes in the fence give you a partially illusive vision and feeling of motion, much like a Zoetrope.
© Walter Herfst
In continuation with the fluid movement of the fence, circular openings, like the lifting of the curtain in places, subtly guide the path of visitors around the pavilion. The openings, intentionally dislocated from the obvious line of sight, create circulation paths along the circular edges of the pavilion leaving the central spaces to be used as the people please, hence making it a very diverse space. Made of untreated wood, this installation is completely reusable once taken down.
© Walter Herfst
By: Shamita Chaudhry
Project Info:
Architects: Fabric Architecture
Location: Rosenborg Castle, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
Design Team: Eric Frijters, Olv Klijn; project team: Greta Mozzachiodi, Guillermo Lavernia, Charlotte Simpson and Ida Fløche Moller
Construction Team: MOELVEN Denmark A/S, Copenhagen Technical College
Client: Danish Architects Association, DAA Copenhagen department
Photographs: Walter Herfst
Shamita Chaudhary is a former assistant editor at Arch2O and the driving force behind India’s sustainable construction movement. An architect and circular economy expert, she founded the Malba Project in 2021 to combat construction and demolition (C&D) waste in Indian cities through research, advocacy, and practical action—an effort born during a striking 2018 trip to Manali . Over at Arch2O, Shamita leveraged her editorial acumen to spotlight circular design strategies and environmental stewardship. Her writing and insights challenge architects to rethink not only how we build, but how we dismantle—and rebuild—toward a more regenerative future.