A meeting place for all of Frederiksberg's residents

“Café Betty” is a newly renovated ground-floor social hub in Frederiksberg Forenede Boligselskaber’s (United Housing Association) department – Betty 1.

The vision behind this space is to create a multifunctional power hub where Frederiksberg residents can meet irrespective of age, background and life circumstances. This is a space for community, conversations, culture and growth – a place where everyone can feel welcome. Located on the ground floor, the social hub is open and inviting to the local community. The large glass windows provide a view into the activities, while the flexible layout allows the space to be adapted for many purposes.

A dynamic hub with multiple stakeholders

The social hub is part of Frederiksberg Forenede Boligselskaber (FFB) and serves as a dynamic meeting place. Several stakeholders contribute to the life of the space, including of its two tenants, Kaffe Karma and JunkFood. Kaffe Karma runs a social enterprise café serving coffee, cakes and a variety of beverages. The café also serves as a workplace that gives people in need of a fresh start in the labour market the opportunity to gain experience and new skills. Next door is JunkFood, which runs a commercial kitchen that produces meals for communal dining initiatives for Frederiksberg residents, among other services. The kitchen's primary purpose is to provide meals for the homeless and crisis centres. 

“Should we meet here again?” – A vibrant gathering point

The social hub has quickly become a popular gathering point for all age groups. The open and warm atmosphere creates a natural setting for meetings, events and social gatherings. The interior design supports this function with a thoughtful material palette. Large curtains provide a flexible division of the space, while Troldtekt Plus ceilings based on FUTURECEM ensure a pleasant acoustic experience. The acoustic ceilings provide a vibrant, textured feel, while the back wall is clad in Douglas fir “off cuts” that lend warmth and character to the space.

The lighting is elegantly integrated with slender, suspended fixtures that enhance the centre's calm and welcoming atmosphere. Henning Larsen Architects has focused on sustainability and minimising the carbon footprint, reflected both in the choice of materials and the design's simple, harmonious whole. Café Betty was created by and for residents – a space where community and engagement are given room to flourish.