MIKKEL RUGAARD
STUDIO & WORKS

Baggesensgade 9
DK - 2200 Copenhagen N

(+45) 2291 6020
mikkel@mikkelrugaard.com

VAT/CVR no.:
DK41420839

Insurance (Topdanmark) policy no.:
9634 788 775

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The BGI academy parkour facility. Everything is B I G in this place - including the beastly skills and moves by good friend Oliver Thorpe 🤯 . Designed by myself and build in 2012 this place still stands as the worlds largest combined indoor and outdoor facility 🥳 . Possibilities and combinations are virtually endless as Olly expertly demonstrates around just a tiny corner / fraction of the space 🙌🏽 . Check out more of Olly and his work via 👉🏽 @oliver_thorpe . Repost ❤️: This is a little clip from a couple days ago where I had a very fun day filming with @dennis_weibel at @bgiakademiet for @stuntcameracrew. Keep an eye out for a sick camera review coming from them soonish! . Been filming for a couple projects lately, which is why my IG has been very lacking in content. Hopefully I will be posting quite a bit more soon! 💪 . Also remember to check out @ascendingstrength if you're looking to push your own training/coaching to the next level. . Park design by @mikkelrugaardstudio. Check out his stuff! . @etrefort @streetmovementdk @strike_mvmnt #etrefort #streetmovementdk #ethcs #drikvand #parkour #fun #ef #vgang #strikemovement #vegan #veganpower #plantpowered #veganathlete #athlete #vegangains #freerunning #pk #swing #strong #veganparkour

Hoop Dreams part 🏀🏀🏀 . Just wanted to share a full-court mock-up and of this design, including some graphics and visual ideas that homie @enstregiluften and I are working on - possibly with inclusion of AR and motion graphics... 🥳 . PS: The Pegacorn doesn’t have much to do with basketball, but it looks rad 🤘🏾🤡🦄 . . . #basketball #basketballdesign #hoopdreams #basketballcourt

Hoop Dreams part 🏀🏀 . When creating ‘Rail Heaven’ at Carlsberg I had the opportunity to design a custom basketball stanchion. It had to speak to the area and context, being slightly industrial, functional beyond basketball and somewhat connected to the parkour space. . I went with a structurally honest, lightweight yet sculptural design, climbable (of course) and fitted with a real glass backboard (of course) - the only outdoor basketball spot in town, with a pro backboard and break-away rim, as far as I know 👌🏽 . The temporary space was demolished, but the stanchion may still exist in a storage room somewhere... . 2.0 design coming! . . . @primus_arkitekter @carlsbergbyen @weloveasphalt #basketball #basketballdesign #hoopdreams #railheaven #parkour

Hoop dreams 🏀 . A one-off, climbing-friendly basketball stanchion design created for a temporary city space project developed with Primus Architects for Carlsberg back in 2010 (also known for the legendary Rail Heaven spot). . More on this project to follow - and I’m seriously considering developing this design further 😉 . . . @primus_arkitekter @carlsbergbyen @weloveasphalt #basketball #basketballdesign #hoopdreams

Adaptable vs static environments - what’s better? 🤔 . We tend to fall in love with the IDEA more than the REALITY of being able to endlessly modify and adapt our training setup... In my opinion, in the case of parkour, this is rooted deeply in the problem solving core of the culture and discipline. After all, coming back to a space where you’ve worked relentlessly to solve a specific movement task or challenge, only to find it modified or gone, is deeply dissatisfying and frustrating! . The Gerlev Parkour Park is the first ever parkour specific structure built anywhere in the world. Even if it has seen additions over the years, the overall structure remains largely unchanged, constantly testing and challenging creativity since the 2006 introduction 🤩 . People keep finding new challenges, new variations and combinations that no-one have thought of before, even if they have been to the spot numerous times over the years - or maybe exactly because of this... 🙃 . What do you think? Feel free to comment below 👇🏽 . And of course, Nico does it better than anyone - a truly next level movement and creative talent 🙌🏽 Check out more of Nico here 👉🏼 @nicovanhole . Repost: This park is so good, didn’t allowed me to take a rest day! Full merch by @themotusprojects 🎥 @oliver_thorpe #parkour #pk4life #freerunning #flips #themotusprojects #gerlevidrætshøjskole #IG #streetmovement #denmark

Insisting on an attention to detail without losing the overall vision, the Bekkelagsbadet project was truly a pleasure to be a part of 🙌🏽 . With Oslo Harbor being deeply involved, elements and colors of industrial maritime history and heritage has been carried over and reused in creative ways in a number of places. Functions, nature and materials blend naturally, creating overall coherence, without getting in each other’s way or disrupting the logic of the layout. . The fairly dramatic drop in terrain creates for some particularly interesting overhanging movement challenges, and the high vantage point places the parkour facility as a stand-out centerpiece with an amazing view of the fjord 🤩 . The park as a whole is created as a buffer zone between the residential area on one side and the industrial harbor to the other. According to reviewers, and judging by the volume of guests, it fills this purpose to perfection and has truly become a destination for Oslo dwellers 👌🏽 . Once again a huge thanks to the amazing people at Bar Bakke Landskapsarkitekter for bringing new in on this project 🙏🏽 . Photos courtesy of Tove Lauluten. . . . @barbakkelandskapsarkitekter @tovelauluten @oslohavn #architecture #design #parkourpark #parkourfacility #parkourgym #movementdesign #movementfacility #parkourdesign #movementspaces #parkour #artdudeplacement #movementspaces #mikkelrugaardoriginal

When landscape and movement functions merge in a respectful and intelligent union, great things happen! . I’m really proud of how not only the final result but the entire process of the Bekkelagsbadet project! Something like this wouldn’t have been possible if not for the talent and trust of the great people at @barbakkelandskapsarkitekter ❤️🙌🏽 . More info to come - stay tuned! . Photo courtesy of @tovelauluten . . . #architecture #design #parkourpark #parkourfacility #parkourgym #movementdesign #movementfacility #parkourdesign #movementspaces #parkour #artdudeplacement #movementspaces #mikkelrugaardoriginal

There are many ways to achieve the desired result when it comes to the actual practicalities of the construction process. Choosing which often depends on the site specific circumstances 🤓 . In this case we chose to work on top of the existing surface, as having to remove large amounts of concrete and dirt would be expensive and messy. The concrete walls are pre-cast so that they slot into one another, creating crossing self-supporting structures that can be placed directly on top of the existing surface. The self-weight makes most of the members immovable in most cases, but additional stability can be done by glueing to the surface or drilling through the ends into the surface underneath and casting a piece of rebar in the hole. The edges are finished to requirements by hand with a quick diamond disc grinding. The larger steel structure is likewise mounted on a flat steel frame, which is covered by the required IAS area which makes for a nice inconspicuous finish while at the same time weighing down and anchoring the structure further. . Choosing construction principles wisely can prove both functionally beneficial and cost efficient! 🤓 . . . @momo.aapk @dora.aapk @dennis_weibel @weloveasphalt #architecture #design #parkourpark #parkourfacility #parkourgym #movementdesign #movementfacility #parkourdesign #movementspaces #parkour #artdudeplacement #movementspaces #mikkelrugaardoriginal

Checking out the recent Streetmekka Viborg build a few months ago, with The Beautiful Boys aka Momo, Dennis and Dora of AAPK. . The parkour design attempts to connect the main structure on one side of the driveway to the central plateau on the other side, in front of the award winning facility designed by the good people at EFFEKT Architects. The many edges and differences in levels make for so many possibilities to connect flows across the space, and provides ample room for drilling and progression - along with a few body weight / fitness related options. . Check out the boys here 👇🏽 @momo.aapk @dennis_weibel @dora.aapk - and swipe for equally beautiful choreography fail 😹👉🏽 . Also, make sure to head on over to @effektarchitects 👌🏽 . . . @weloveasphalt #parkourdesign #movementarchitecture

Parkour designs come in many forms! Good man Nico was touring Copenhagen recently, (unintentionally) showcasing a bit of the range of spots (and my work) around town: . 👆🏽 Amager Beach - a sculptural yet recognizable design approach contextualized within that area. Full design by me. ✌🏽 Folkets Park (The People’s Park) - a repurposed footbridge structure with suspended wooden beams at various angles, heights and distances. Quality control and consultancy by me, designed by Spektrum Architects. 🤟🏾 Streetmekka CPH - the classic approach from 2010. With Street Movement via managed to make a few essential tweaks to the Arkitema design only days before construction began! . Reposted via 👉🏽 @nicovanhole - massive talent and all-around great person 🙌🏽❤️ . “One day in Copenhagen, probably my favourite place in Europe!” Full outfit by @themotusprojects 🎥 @lavdrimelmazi @oliver_thorpe @louisekilstrup #parkour #pk4life #flips #freerunning #copenhagen #denmark #themotusprojects . . . @spektrumarkitekter @arkitema @streetmovementdk @weloveasphalt

Customized SM Classic Parkour Vault Box set, with a few small but great design improvements 🤓 . 👉🏼 NEW round ‘birdhouse’ style grip placed for better balance / center of mass for easier handling 👉🏽 NEW cut-outs at bottom for improved stability on uneven surfaces . 👆🏽 Same unique contrasting ‘stitch’ joinery and custom logo carving on slip-resistant fenolin birch ply, with high quality birch ply ends. ✌🏽 Same strategically bevelled and chamfered end details for beautiful finish and feel. 🤟🏾 Stand the 3 sizes up on end, slide them into one another and wheel them around on a standard wheel dolly. . This particular set was commissioned by the National Platform for Street Sports and Nordea Fonden and is now ready for all users at Ørestads Streethall 👍🏽 . . . #meregade #gadeidræt #parkourvaultbox @prkourequipment @nordeafonden @weloveasphalt @streetmovementdk

Fun little corner upgrade within the context and tight constraints of the small gym and ball court at Streetmekka CPH ✌🏽 . . . #movementspace #movementarchitecture #movementdesign #sportsequipment #parkourequipment #parkourdesign #parkourgym

Store Magleby School - COVID-19 lockdown style... 🙄 . . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR ❤️ . One of the most interesting projects in 2019 was this one at Store Magleby Skole, created for good friends and talented landscape architects at STED By og landskab 👉🏽 @stedcph . Already dubbed Railheaven 2.0 by some, 2020 will tell if this spot can fill those seriously big shoes...! . Photography by another good friend Anders Graver 👉🏽 @anders_graver

SPACE, FUNCTION & EXPERIENCE. Travelling with performances might be the biggest test to a portable design - it will definitely give you honest feedback on your design choices! . 🤞🏻 Will it fit through standardised doorways and other openings? 🤞🏼 Are you able to set it up, get on stage and get back out within the restrictions of a tight production plan? 🤞🏽 Does it help you create depth and dimension to an otherwise generic space? 🤞🏾 Does it support the functions of the story you want to tell through movement? 🤞🏿 Will the audience experience the perfomance and the athletes - or do they only see the structure…? . These are all helpful questions to ask yourself in the design process - and many of the same questions will help you qualify your design beyond the stage and into a teaching scenario. . It feels great to see not our scaff designs in action and working. But maybe even more satisfying to see how our groundbreaking work with “parkour-choreography” over the last 10 years has inspired a whole new generations. Many years in charge of Gerlev Performance Team gave us the chance to play, experiment and challenge what a parkour performance could look like. Sadly we don’t have a lot of high quality footage from many of our choreographed creations - hopefully someday we’ll find the time and money to do some proper video production… . In the meantime please enjoy this great little snippet from our friends at Sorø Performance Team - I dare say many of the ideas come straight out of our work with Gerlev Performance Team years ago - so have some of the choreographers 😉 Also, swipe for a few stage shots of some creative use of the equipment on stage over the years 🎉 . Repost via 👉🏽 @soroperformance . I lørdags lavede vi vores første opvisning til On the Move 2019. Vi glæder til næste opvisning til Stenbrostævnet 🤩 . . . @streetmovementdk @gerlevih @gerlevperformanceteam @gerlev_parkour @soroefterskole @parkour.soroefterskole #parkour #parkourlife #wearenotgymnastics #ADD #artdudeplacement #parkourperformance #parkourshow #dailyfreerunning #freerunning #pkfr #parkourandfreerunning #movementculture #creativemovement #movementislife #functionaltraining #streetmovement

INTENTIONAL PRACTICE / INTENTIONAL DESIGN! Understanding context - continued from previous post 👈🏽 . The temporary scenario - where equipment needs to be easily set up as not to waste the precious allotted practice time - is the context into which 90% of the equipment needs we meet must fit. This is why truly portable equipment has always been the main premises of my approach: Quickly assembled and moved around for numerous combinations and possibilities, easily loaded in a van and transported to an event - without sacrificing functionality, the original and authentic look and feel, safety for the users and the static properties and stability required for parkour techniques and movements 👍🏽 . Another level of context is the production process - understanding this can make or break your idea! ☝🏽 Function: How do you make your design work the way you want it to? Is it even feasible to achieve the structural properties needed with concept and choice of materials at hand? ✌🏾 Detailing/aesthetics: Is it possible to make your aesthetic vision meet the functional vision…? 🤟🏾 Price: Keeping cost low is essential! More details and better finish usually equals more labour, which is expensive. Choosing materials carefully and designing to optimise for low waste, little tool setup and fewest possible labour hours can move the price significantly! . The CROSS BOX is optimised to fit within 3-1/2 full sheets of 4x8’ plywood. The thickness, quality and cut shape of the wood carefully chosen to carry the load and structural properties in and of itself. Screw holes are pre-drilled for easy assembly. Even transportation is easy - although the long box makes it more expensive to ship as one unit as it takes up floorspace on the truck (with this iteration of the design). . I’m quite pleased with this overall design, in case you didn’t notice! With 2 of these and a scaff you’d be hard pressed to find stuff you are not able to do (cat-hangs being one - with this iteration of the design… 😉) . To me that is design with a place and a purpose - do you know yours…? Please comment below ✏️👇🏽 . . . #sportsequipment #parkourequipment #parkourdesign #parkourgym

INTENTIONAL PRACTICE / INTENTIONAL DESIGN! Good design has a place and a purpose (and it doesn’t have to be ugly) - kind of like when we move 🤓 . Understanding context and the demand you’re trying to meet is crucial for any good design. Many parkour communities around the world base their activities around an established gym - a single space dedicated mainly to one activity, thus having a large volume of permanent installations with some movable or adaptable pieces and details. However, Many European countries, Denmark included, structure the sports cultures largely around public non-profit associations, where most activity occur on a temporary basis or exist in spaces that need to be shared with others over the course of a day. This reality requires equipment to be easily moved in and out of the space - usually from a small storage room - and mounted and taken down in minutes as not to waste the precious allotted practice time. There's a huge difference between 'movable' or 'adaptable' and 'portable' equipment! 👌🏾 . The CROSS BOX design is a great answer to the challenge described above. As an alternative to the standard vault box I wanted something more "authentic" / more parkour, and less gymnastics like the plinth-design we're used to seeing everywhere. The more wall-like shape with narrow tops are perfect for precison work and foot placement - both essentials in parkour. The two higher walls can be easily moved and turned 180 degrees for variation, by sliding them into the routed tracks. The whole thing is made from high quality birch veneer and is very sturdy and stiff. Because of the large footprint of the total assembly it hardly moves on the surface as most other portable equipment. On top of this it's easy to handle, move around, set up and store away. It won’t replace a scaff or a foam pit, because that isn’t the context it is designed for - but it will allow you to cover 90% of your most common needs and more. 🤩 . To be continued… . Video by @louigiacomello . . . @streetmovementdk #sportsequipment #parkourequipment #parkourdesign #parkourgym #movementdesign #movementfacility #parkourdesign #lartdudeplacement #movementspace

PARALLELL - OSLO, NORWAY. Lighting concept (continued from previous post 👈🏽) . 💡 The use of lighting can have many purposes. It’s not only a means of orientation and something that makes us feel safer in dark places, it’s is something that can completely transform a space, change its character and extend the functional hours of the day. . For movement, and parkour in particular, it’s not so much about flooding the space in light, but really more about emphasising the sense of edge. The first also always creates issues with the neighbours, whereas the second is a much more delicate and artistic approach. With modern LED technology it’s not eve that difficult or expensive to include lighting in a project, but it needs to be done from the beginning and with the help of experts, as lighting really is a science in its own, and should be respected as such. . In this case I’ve had long discussions with the good people at LightSupply, Denmark, who have supplied unique solutions to the Copenhagen Metro and new Maersk Tower among many other projects. We discussed the use of motion sensors 👋🏽 which would make the structure an interacting entity that responds to and supports your movement without being intrusive, thus becoming a purposely pulsating sculpture at night… . Even though the lighting scheme unfortunately isn’t a part of the existing project which is currently under construction, this will still be a fun little spot with a different approach. . Concept, design, animation and renders by @ruffyard . . . @barbakke @skanska @streetmovementdk #parkourpark #parkourfacility #parkourgym #movementdesign #movementfacility #parkourdesign #lartdudeplacement #movementspace

PARALLELL - OSLO, NORWAY. A simple and sculptural concept with a few surprises, created for Bar Bakke Landscape Architects and client Skanska. . 🤔The name of this site is called Parallell because of the parallel and offset volumes of the main office building (currently under construction - find out more here: parallelloslo.no). . The motif of the building volumes and shapes of surrounding objects are carried over to the space that holds the parkour installation, with horizontal and vertical parallel off-sets creating variation. A cut divides the space down the middle, allowing us to off-set the two areas on the sides slightly, creating movement variation and splitting the long, narrow space into two more dimensionally harmonic spaces. The cut creates a footpath through the otherwise 16m blockage of the space, which will be useful in a transition area which will most likely see much more pedestrian traffic in the near future. The choice of raw steel H-beam frames is an attempt at a more industrial look and feel that relates to both the past and the present industrial history of the site. The height of the structure is kept below 160cm, avoiding any requirements for IAS (Impact Attenuating Surfacing) thus requiring no further landscape work. . The basic parkour installation project is currently under development and soon to be built. The lighting concept is currently not part of the finished project, but something we’ve been thinking a lot about recently. More visuals on this coming soon… 👉🏽 . Renders and plan by @ruffyard . . . @barbakkelandskapsarkitekter @skanskacdnorway @streetmovementdk #parkourpark #parkourfacility #parkourgym #movementdesign #movementfacility #parkourdesign #lartdudeplacement #movementspace

BGI ACADEMY PHOTO SHOOT 🤓 Behind the scenes. . Prepping well is absolutely crucial to achieving great results in any type of job - creative industries are no exception! That goes for not only the design work but for photographing the final result as well! But there’s no reason you can’t have fun doing the prep (and get cool process footage) as that is capture shows 🤪🥳 . Dennis and Dora going through the motions of setting up the shot and testing the lighting for Andy Day. Designer Mikkel Rugaard either furiously trying to keep up with the emails, or playing Word Feud... 😉 . Swipe for final shot 👉🏽 Photos by @kiellgram . . . @bgi_parkour @bgiakademiet @streetmovementdk #parkourpark #parkourfacility #parkourgym #movementdesign #movementfacility #parkourdesign #lartdudeplacement #movementspace #parkourphotography #sportsphotography