The Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal at Copenhagen Airport is one of the most important examples of Danish functionalist architecture. Designed by architect Vilhelm Lauritzen and completed in 1939, the building was the airport’s first purpose-built passenger terminal and helped define the modern airport typology. 

The architecture emphasises functionality, daylight and spatial clarity, with large windows and open interior spaces creating a direct visual connection between passengers and the runway. Lauritzen’s design introduced the clear separation between “landside” and “airside”, a planning principle that later became standard in airport architecture worldwide. 

Today the historic terminal is preserved as a protected heritage building and used for special events and official receptions at Copenhagen Airport.