Association of Craftsmen in Copenhagen


The Association of Craftsmen in Copenhagen is an interest organisation based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its 2,200 members are owners of small and medium large companies. It is affiliated with 35 guilds and industry organisations.

History

The association was founded at the initiative of master joiner Lasenius Kramp in 1840 to promote the interest of craftsmen of all trades.
Håndværkerforeningen acquired a former Freemasons' Hall on Kronprinsensgade in 1868. They had a 2000-volume library reading room and billiard room in the building but moved out after taking over Moltke's Mansion on Dronningens Tværgade in 1930.

Headquarters

In 1880, the Craftsmen's Association acquired Moltke's Mansion on the corner of Bredgade and Fronningens Tværgade in Copenhagen. The following year the association expanded the building with a new wing with an assembly hall.

Residential portfolio

Håndværkerforenignen owns a large number of residences in the Greater Copenhagen area. Alderstrøst is the name of two residential complexes built by Håndværkerforeningen to provide affordable housing for elderly, indigent members and their widows in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen. The oldest is located on Nørrebrogade. The other one is located at the corner of Nørre Allé and Møllegade. The Nørreborgade complex is no longer owned by Håndværkerforeningen.
Håndværkerhaven is a residential complex built by Håndværkerforeningen next to Rmdrup station in 1940. It consists of five buildings with a total of 351 mainly cheap one and two-room apartments.
The Bispebjerg Bakke housing estate was built by Håndværkerforeningen in collaboration with Realdania to design by the artist Bjørn Nørgaard with use of old building practices in 2004-06. It is located in the Bispebjerg district of Copenhagen.
Håndværkerforeningen also owns a number of other properties in the Copenhagen area. These include the historic Møllmanns Landsted on Allégade in Frederiksberg. It consists of a Neoclassical house in the courtyard from 1794 and a building on the street from

Awards

Medal

plays host to an annual banquet where Håndværkerforeningen's medal in silver or bronze is awarded to the best new craftsmen in Copenhagen. The ceremony has been attended by members of the Danish royal family since 1927.

Honorary Craftsman of the Year

Since 1973, Håndværkerforeningen has awarded the title Honorary Craftsman of the Year to an individual for his or her significant contribution to Danish society. Former Honorary Craftsmen of the Year are:
' 1974: Bjørn Wiinblad, ceramist, designer and designer