Standing in the Bispebjerg district of Copenhagen, Grundtvigs Kirke, one of the most singular works of 20th-century ecclesiastical architecture, is the protagonist of David Altrath’s latest photography series. Designed by Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint and completed in 1940, the church translates the vertical ambition of Gothic architecture into an austere expressionist language built entirely from yellow Danish brick. Structure, surface, and ornament collapse into a single architectural system, where material discipline replaces decoration.

The west facade rises as a monumental sequence of stepped gables, a sculptural composition that sets the rhythm for the building as a whole. Inside, this cadence continues through pointed arches and soaring brick vaults, forming an interior that feels both monumental and measured. Light filters gently across the textured masonry, revealing subtle shifts in tone and depth, while repetition and proportion guide movement through the nave. The absence of applied ornament sharpens attention to craftsmanship, scale, and the expressive potential of brick itself.

all images by David Altrath

stillness as a spatial condition

Altrath’s work consistently explores how built form, material, and atmosphere interact over time. Here, his lens frames Grundtvig’s Church not as a monumental icon, but as a lived space of stillness, where brick, light, and proportion quietly hold the architecture together.

In this photographic series, Hamburg-based photographer David Altrath approaches Grundtvig’s Church as an architecture of restraint and concentration. His images focus on moments of pause: light grazing a wall, the alignment of arches, the quiet tension between mass and void. Rather than dramatizing the space, the photographs emphasize its calm intensity, allowing the expressionist abstraction of the architecture to coexist with its sacred function.

a sculptural composition of yellow brick

the stepped gable west facade

a closer view reveals the layered brick relief articulating the main entrance

the church’s long side elevation unfolds through repeated vertical bays and pointed windows

repetition and vertical proportion define the church’s side facade

the rear volume presents a compact, faceted mass

rows of wooden chairs align beneath soaring arches

the central nave culminates in the monumental organ on one side

repetitive pointed vaults extend rhythmically along the side aisles

geometry and structural logic of the ceiling

the nave reads as a continuous field of brick, light, and aligned seating

hanging chandeliers punctuate the vertical brick interior

an intimate space defined by filtered light

the central nave stretches toward the altar

the church translates the vertical ambition of Gothic architecture into an austere expressionist language

precision of brickwork and proportion

project info:

name: Grundtvigs Kirke
photographer: David Altrath | @davidaltrath
location: Copenhagen, Denmark

architect: Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint

completion: 1940

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Ahead of its recent completion, Dymak’s new headquarters in Odense, Denmark, becomes the backdrop for a site-specific performance by local dance company KOMA Ballet, offering an early glimpse into BIG’s circular workplace designed around flexibility, material tactility, and high-energy performance. The 2,800-square-meter timber building serves as a spatial framework for both human and environmental movement, positioning the workplace as an adaptable ecosystem.

Designed by BIG LEAP, BIG’s in-house architecture, landscape, engineering, and product design studio, the headquarters is organized as a continuous loop that connects departments visually and spatially across floors. The circular configuration distributes volume to create varied spatial conditions, allowing employees to establish workstations according to changing needs. 

all images courtesy of PROFILE, unless stated otherwise

bjarke Ingels shapes climate-responsive workplace in denmark

Wood, clay, and cork line the interiors, chosen for their tactile qualities and their resonance with Dymak’s product portfolio. Recycled bricks extend across the ground floor and into the surrounding paths and courtyard. Acting as the green heart of the building, the courtyard pulls the surrounding landscape inward, forming an open-air amphitheater that supports informal gatherings, social events, and moments of pause throughout the day.

The facade opens northward to frame views of Funen’s manorial landscape, while the southern elevation integrates external lamellas for passive solar shading. Vertical stretched-metal panels gradually close off the glass surface to prevent overheating. Referencing Denmark’s half-timbered architectural tradition, the team at BIG composes a grid-like envelope using 44 radial cross-laminated timber frames, topped by an undulating roof fitted with 880 photovoltaic panels. Angled for year-round solar harvesting, the roof also mitigates noise within the inner courtyard, reinforcing the building’s role as a calm, climate-responsive workspace.

Set to achieve DGNB Gold and Heart certifications, the headquarters reflects BIG LEAP’s ambition to align environmental performance with social sustainability, creating a workplace that evolves alongside Dymak’s future growth while remaining grounded in material honesty, spatial generosity, and collective experience. Stay tuned for the full unveiling of the project, with more details, images, and spatial insights coming soon.

positioning the workplace as an adaptable ecosystem

the headquarters is organized as a continuous loop

allowing employees to establish workstations according to changing needs

wood, clay, and cork line the interiors

reflecting BIG LEAP’s ambition to align environmental performance with social sustainability | image courtesy of BIG

reinforcing the building’s role as a calm, climate-responsive workspace | image courtesy of BIG

an undulating roof fitted with 880 photovoltaic panels | image courtesy of BIG

project info:

name: Dymak Headquarters

architect: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) | @big_builds

location: Odense, Denmark

area: 2,800 square meters

landscape: BIG Landscape

engineering: BIG Engineering

certification: targeting DGNB Gold + Heart

The post watch: ballet dancers take over BIG’s circular timber building of dymak HQ in denmark appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Café Niko, designed by architect Kim Lenschow and design studio NIKO JUNE, is a new café and design shop located on the waterfront in Copenhagen. Conceived as both a serving station and an extension of the workshop, the project invites visitors to experience everyday rituals through design. Everything in use, from the tableware to the seating, is also available for purchase, turning the café into a setting where design is actively lived with.

From the outside, the building is marked by a textured brick facade and large, glazed openings that frame views of the café’s arrangement of metallic stools and tables. Inside, concrete walls, a bar counter clad in swirling veined stone, and open shelving filled with bottles and equipment set a calm, utilitarian tone. The pared-back palette highlights material textures and emphasizes the careful selection of objects in use.

all images by Johanna Hvidtved

A Hybrid space Where Objects, Rituals, and Care Come Together

The café follows the natural rhythm of the day, where mornings open with coffee, tea, and breakfast, giving the space a steady pace for those passing through early. Evenings take on a different character, as the menu shifts to beer, wine, and drinks accompanied by plates that fall somewhere between snacks and meals. 

Café Niko embodies creative workshop NIKO JUNE’s principle of making ‘a few things done well’ and serving them with care. The space, designed by Frederiksberg-based Kim Lenschow, becomes a hybrid environment where visitors are invited to sit inside something made, to pause, and to take part in a way of living with objects designed to be practical and enduring.

Café Niko is designed by architect Kim Lenschow and design studio NIKO JUNE

concrete walls, a bar counter clad in swirling veined stone, and open shelving filled with bottles and equipment

the pared-back palette highlights material textures

everything in use, from the tableware to the seating, is also available for purchase

turning the café into a setting where design is actively lived with

a new café and design shop located on the waterfront in Copenhagen

conceived as both a serving station and an extension of the workshop

the project invites visitors to experience everyday rituals through design

the café follows the natural rhythm of the day

glazed openings that frame views of the café’s arrangement of metallic stools and tables

project info:

name: Café Niko | @cafe__niko

location: Copenhagen, Denmark

architect: Kim Lenschow | @kimlenschow

designer: NIKO JUNE | @niko__june

photographer: Johanna Hvidtved | @johannahvidtved

The post café by kim lenschow and NIKO JUNE doubles as design shop on copenhagen’s waterfront appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

After nearly two decades of shaping Ørestad’s skyline, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group returns to the Copenhagen district with a ground-shifting public realm project titled The Impact. Together with American artist Doug Aitken Workshop and collaborators NIRAS, Volcano, and RWDI, the team’s winning proposal is set to renew the three major plazas around DR Concert Hall, Bella Arena, and Royal Arena. Merging more than 50,000 square meters into one interconnected landscape, The Impact replaces the area’s paved voids with a living, breathing terrain designed to support daily life, spontaneous play, and large-scale performances alike.

BIG’s proposal departs from the idea of adding more surfaces to the city, and instead, it subtracts, revealing and revitalizing the layers beneath. Through this process, the designers open the ground to allow light, water, and nature to animate the plazas, introducing wetlands, local flora, and public art into one continuous environment. At its core, a sculptural ‘crack’ runs like a fault line across the site, linking the three plazas. This glowing incision becomes the connective tissue that transforms fragmented urban surfaces into a unified public domain.

‘It is with immense pleasure that we return to Ørestad 15 years after completing the 8 House. This time with the intention of breathing life between the buildings. With The Impact, we have taken an approach that breaks open the perfect, finished surfaces of the city like a meteor strike, creating space for all forms of life, plants and animals, nature and culture,’ shares Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director of BIG. ‘Like a form of urban Kintsugi – the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold – the cracks and fractures will create a kind of accelerated patina on the otherwise very new district. In the words of Leonard Cohen: ”There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”’

renderings by BIG, Playtime, and Ping-Pong Space

water, light and life shape The Impact project

Through BIG’s project, each of the three plazas follows its own concept within the whole, responding to its immediate context while aligning with the larger narrative. At the DR Concert Hall, the international architecture firm reimagines the plaza’s water feature as an urban pool and amphitheater. Tiered seating and floating islands offer a moment for pause, while reused paving materials are woven into steps and platforms around a central stream of light and water that changes with the time of day and season.

At Bella Arena, the plaza becomes more intimate, with a series of sunken green ‘rooms’ shaped by lush vegetation, stone surfaces, and warm microclimates. Planting climbs up the building facades, acting as a soft wayfinding element that continues the crack vertically. Meanwhile, a luminous green line guides movement, intertwines public paths, and marks the continuity of the landscape. Seasonal flora, wetlands, and reused materials anchor the site in both sustainability and visual richness.

Where Fields Mall meets the urban fabric, The Impact begins with two sculptural installations that resemble meteorites, setting the tone for the transformation. From this origin point, the golden crack travels across streets and squares, culminating in a dramatic rupture at Royal Arena with a sculpted urban void turned into a gathering space.

BIG returns to the Copenhagen district with a ground-shifting public realm project

Turning Underused Spaces into Climate-Responsive Landscapes

The design achieves a calculated carbon footprint of less than 0.1 kg CO₂ per m² per year, thanks to the reuse of materials like granite and concrete, passive climate strategies, and the integration of native biodiversity. Rainwater is collected and filtered on-site through topographic basins, open channels, and permeable surfaces, forming part of the landscape’s aesthetic and ecological identity.

‘The Impact will disrupt the ordinary to unveil the extraordinary. With a cohesive language that adapts to both grand and intimate spaces, pavements and building surfaces crack open to reconnect fragmented areas, allowing life to breathe through. Interactive water, nature, and light flow through these cracks like lifelines, stitching together the existing urban fabric while creating unexpected encounters,’ comments Giulia Frittoli, partner at BIG. ‘In doing so, we demonstrate how art and landscape design can reactivate public space and achieve low environmental impact, while delivering a powerful, socially driven transformation. As landscape architects and residents of Copenhagen, we are thrilled by the opportunity to help shape Ørestad’s future and celebrate its unique potential.’

The collaboration between BIG and Doug Aitken Workshop brings an artistic approach to Ørestad’s public spaces. Using elements like light, reflection, and sculptural forms, the design aims to make walking through the area feel more engaging and comfortable. Rather than treating the plaza as just empty space between buildings, the project turns it into a more active and welcoming environment, including flexible features that can serve as a performance area, offer shade, reflect the surroundings, or support plant life. 

the team’s proposal is set to renew the three major plazas around DR Concert Hall, Bella Arena, and Royal Arena

at Bella Arena, the plaza becomes more intimate

planting climbs up the building facades

a series of sunken green ‘rooms’ shaped by lush vegetation, stone surfaces, and warm microclimates

a soft wayfinding element that continues the crack vertically

seasonal flora, wetlands, and reused materials anchor the site

BIG’s proposal departs from the idea of adding more surfaces to the city

at the Fields Mall plaza, The Impact begins with two sculptural installations

 a sculpted urban void turned into a gathering space

the golden crack travels across streets and squares

this glowing incision becomes the connective tissue between the three plazas

project info:

name: The Impact

architect: BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group | @big_builds

location: Ørestad, Copenhagen, Denmark

area: 56,000 square meters

client: By & Havn, Danmarks Radio, BellaGroup, BellaKvarter, Live Nation, Metroselskabet, Ørestad Innovation City Copenhagen (ØICC)

collaborators: Doug Aitken Workshop, NIRAS, Volcano, RWDI

partner-in-charge: Bjarke Ingels, Giulia Frittoli

project manager: Ulla Hornsyld

project lead: Xu Lian

design team: Christian Vang Madsen, Parastoo Salehi Farhadpour, Elif Merve Türköz, Xinyu Zhao, Alicia De Nobrega, William Emil George Abdou, Lucia Rocio Hurtado Ayala, Matthew Goodwill, Louise Natalie Mould, Gisella Birardi, Frida Sofia Otterbeck, Jonathan Udemezue

sustainability: Chiara Gargiulo, Will Chuanrui Yu
renderings: BIG, Playtime | @playtime.barcelona and Ping-Pong Space | @pingpong.space

The post BIG to reactivate three copenhagen plazas with cracked terrain of water, light and greenery appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The Vollerup House, designed by Høyer Arkitektur, takes shape in northwestern Zealand, Denmark, about ninety minutes north of Copenhagen. Conceived as a summer retreat, the house is carefully set within a wooded site where fields meet forest, just inland from the windswept coastline. The timber building sits low against a backdrop of birch and pine, its elongated, single-story form offering a calm horizontal counterpoint to the upright trees. Høyer Arkitektur uses this orientation to create both spatial intimacy and visual clarity, shielding nearby cottages from view and framing a quiet forest clearing.

The design takes advantage of the site’s dual character. While the north facade is restrained and mostly closed to maintain privacy from the more public areas, the south facade opens generously to the woods. Floor-to-ceiling glazing along this southern elevation draws in filtered daylight and allows the interior to remain visually and atmospherically tethered to the forest beyond.

images © Hampus Berndtson

høyer arkitektur’s vollerup house Treads Lightly

The design team at Høyer Arkitektur plans the Vollerup House with a linear arrangement, with all living spaces aligned along the southern face. Movement through the house parallels the rhythm of the trees outside, reinforcing a constant connection to the changing light and seasonal shifts in the landscape. From inside, the distinction between interior and exterior softens; the forest becomes a living backdrop to daily life.

Materially and structurally, the home echoes the region’s vernacular buildings. Its construction draws on the traditional longhouse form and the presence of timber barns scattered through rural Zealand. A rhythm of glulam beams defines the primary grid, elevated on cast-point foundations to preserve the forest floor and minimize ecological disruption.

The lightness of the structural solution lends the house a kind of stillness in the landscape. By lifting the volume slightly and anchoring it with minimal intervention, Høyer Arkitektur reinforces a sense of respect for the natural setting. From certain angles, the glulam supports even suggest that the house rests lightly among the trees rather than being imposed upon them.

surrounded by birch and pine trees, the Vollerup House sits on the northwest coast of Zealand

Høyer Arkitektur designs the summer house as a horizontal structure that responds to the vertical forest

the elongated form creates a quiet visual barrier from neighboring cottages

a restrained north facade ensures privacy while the south facade opens fully to the forest

floor-to-ceiling glass allows filtered light to enter and connects interiors to the surrounding trees

the project draws inspiration from the local longhouse typology and rural Denmark’s wooden barns

the house feels as though it rests gently among tree trunks without disturbing the land

project info:

name: Vollerup House

architect: Høyer Arkitektur | @hoyerarkitektur

location: Vollerup Strand, Denmark

area: 95 square meters

photography: © Hampus Berndtson | @hampusper

The post høyer arkitektur builds elongated vollerup house within denmark’s coastal forest appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

At a time when more churches in Denmark are closing their doors than opening them, Henning Larsen’s Højvangen Church, set on the edge of Skanderborg, is the first to rise in the parish in over 500 years. The 1,500-square-meter structure sidesteps the conventional idea of a church as a singular, front-facing monument, unfolding like an open-ended, approachable pavilion in the landscape. Developed in collaboration with architect Espen Surnevik and landscape studio Schul Landskab & Planlægning, the project rethinks this site for worship as a place for gathering, pause, and shared experience.

The brick-clad church is built into a gentle slope, with a low profile and a shifting facade that helps it blend into the landscape. A partially sunken corridor connects it to the existing parish center, reinforcing this quiet presence. Inside, the space avoids the traditional church layout, with no central aisle or fixed orientation. Instead, the baptismal font is placed at the center of the building and serves as its anchor point. From here, views extend out in multiple directions, toward the forest, the cemetery, and the old church tower. This setup reflects the idea of the church as a shared, inclusive space, intentionally flexible, that allows the interior to adapt to different uses such as concerts, services, farewells, and community events.

all images by Rasmus Hjortshøj

light sets the atmosphere inside Højvangen Church in sweden

Light plays an essential role in the design of Højvangen Church, shaping both the atmosphere and the overall experience of the space. ‘Light was a central design driver,’ says Eva Ravnborg, director at Henning Larsen. ‘It’s more than a physical element – it brings a calm, almost spiritual quality to the space, lifting the experience of the church room beyond the everyday.’ The architects’ team supports this idea through the use of perforated brick walls and brass details, which allow natural light to filter in gently. The subtle curves of the facade help modulate the light further, while the colonnaded rear includes small niches that offer spots for reflection or informal conversation.

Henning Larsen’s Højvangen Church in Skanderborg is the first to rise in the parish in over 500 years

stackable Ekko chair marks its debut in this project

Furniture also plays an intentional role in the project. With the introduction of the Ekko chair, designed in collaboration with Danish furniture maker Brdr. Krüger, Henning Larsen returns to furniture design for the first time in 60 years. The chair is stackable, durable, and sleek, made to meet the standards of public use while harmonizing the calm atmosphere of the space.

For Henning Larsen’s global design director Greta Tiedje, the church reflects a shift in how society relates to sacred space. ‘A place of worship is a civic anchor,’ she says. ‘We designed it to be part of the everyday, a space where people can gather across generations and beliefs and find meaning through shared experience. That’s where real life happens.’

the 1,500-square-meter structure sidesteps the conventional idea of a church

unfolding like an open-ended, approachable pavilion in the landscape

the brick-clad church is built into a gentle slope

a low profile and a shifting facade helps the building blend into the landscape

a partially sunken corridor connects it to the existing parish center

the space avoids the traditional church layout

there’s no central aisle or fixed orientation

this setup reflects the idea of the church as a shared, inclusive space

the interior can adapt to different uses

the baptismal font is placed at the center of the building

project info:

name: Højvangen Church

architect: Henning Larsen | @henninglarsenarchitects, Espen Surnevik | @espen.surnevik

location: Skanderborg, Denmark

area: 1,500 square meters (16,146 square feet)

landscape architecture: Schul Landskab & Planlægning

engineering: Ramboll

furniture design: Brdr. Krüger + Henning Larsen

photographer: Rasmus Hjortshøj | @rasmus_hjortshoj

The post henning larsen builds brick-clad church in denmark as open pavilion for gathering appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

A fresh addition to Copenhagen’s Østerbro district, Amator is a design-driven, cozy hybrid of café, restaurant, and private dining venue envisioned by Polish chef Mateusz Sarnowski, widely known as Mati Pichci. The interior is brought to life by Adam Wierciński of wiercinski-studio, marking his first project in the Danish capital, and is rooted in the idea of hjemme spisested (a home dining place). At its heart is a jagged communal oak table, designed to shift from individual settings to a unified dining surface. The raw materiality and the warm, earthy palette mirror Mati’s vegetable-focused cuisine, while bespoke details introduce a domestic charm that feels deeply personal.

all images courtesy of wiercinski-studio

smart tabletops respond to the spatial demands of the venue

The spatial constraints of the compact venue shape Amator’s design by turning limitation into opportunity. Polish designer Wierciński responds with a system of interlocking oak tabletops that subtly mimic a gathering of small tables, while steel rings allow them to connect into one long form, ideal for the candlelit private dinners hosted in the evening. The angled tabletops create a serrated silhouette down the room’s center, echoed by sleek oak stools, which are the first objects of the upcoming wiercinski-objects line. Raw steel frames and handcrafted joints lend the furniture an unfinished charm that complements the chef’s open kitchen, separated by a mirrored, steel-clad bar.

Amator is a design-driven dining destination in the Danish capital

bespoke furnishings and vinyls complete the interior

Throughout the interior, the furniture is custom-designed by Wierciński and produced in Poland by skilled artisans before being transported to Copenhagen. Natural oak, stainless steel, and raw linen compose the palette, brought to life through floating wall shelves, sculptural sconces, and a steel washbasin. A slice of a Polish tree trunk welcomes visitors by the entrance, rooting the project in Mati’s origins. Meanwhile, bold yellow plywood shelving, a nod to home interiors, brings a burst of playful color and points to the quiet centerpiece of the space: a single yellow dot that appears throughout.

Sound is also central to the Amator experience. Beneath the rear window sit a vinyl shelf and a pair of custom Arda Audio speakers, forming a mini soundscape zone curated by Mati. Here, guests are invited to linger, enjoy music on a turntable, and absorb the space’s thoughtful layers.

rooted in the idea of ‘a home dining place’

a jagged communal oak table is designed to shift from individual settings to a unified dining surface

the raw materiality and the warm, earthy palette mirror Mati’s vegetable-focused cuisine

oak tabletops mimic a gathering of small tables

bespoke details introduce a domestic charm

the furniture is custom-designed by Wierciński and produced in Poland

a mini soundscape zone curated by Mati

a slice of a Polish tree trunk welcomes visitors by the entrance

a fresh addition to Copenhagen’s Østerbro district

project info:

name: Amator | @amatorcph
architect: wiercinski-studio | @wiercinskistudio
location: Østerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post wiercinski-studio builds cozy ‘amator’ restaurant around modular oak table in copenhagen appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Swedish architecture studio Förstberg Ling completes a contemporary rural house in Veddinge, along a coastal area on the northern tip of Zeeland near Copenhagen. The home occupies a place where the terrain transitions from lowlands to grassy hills. A 1950s cabin sits on a slope overlooking the sea, offering expansive views of the coastline. To complement the original structure, the architecture studio introduced a detached extension that provides additional bedrooms and a living room while preserving the existing kitchen and living spaces.

images © Markus Linderoth

clustered volumes form the cabin extension

Förstberg Ling, the Malmö-based studio led by architect Björn Förstberg, designed the house as a cluster of four interconnected volumes of varying heights. Together, these boxes are arranged to form a hidden atrium at the center. As occupants move through the house, they navigate around this hidden space, experiencing a series of interconnected rooms that shift between narrow and tall to wider and lower. The house integrates different levels at the front and back, creating a dynamic variation in scale across the structure.

Förstberg Ling designs a house in Denmark where the landscape transitions from lowlands to grassy hills

charred pine encloses warm timber interiors

To create the house’s dark and dramatic appearance within its pastoral site, Förstberg Ling clads the exterior walls in blackened pine. This material choice serves to contrast with the light, warm plywood interior, which incorporates veneers of varying textures. Narrow, elongated windows emphasize the verticality of the dwelling, framing treetop views and offering a distinct visual experience compared to the original cabin’s horizontal panoramas of the sea. This interplay of materials and perspectives enhances the dialogue between the new structure and its natural surroundings.

a 1950s cabin overlooking the sea remains while a detached extension adds bedrooms and a living room

the house consists of four volumes arranged to create a concealed atrium at the center

moving through the house, visitors experience rooms at varying scales

the front and back of the house have different levels, contributing to a dynamic sense of space

the plywood interior features veneers of different textures adding warmth to the space

the exterior is clad in blackened pine, creating a contrast with the plywood interior

project info:

name: House with a Hidden Atrium

architect: Förstberg Ling | @forstberg_ling

location: Veddinge, Denmark

completion: 2022

photography: © Markus Linderoth | @markuslinderoth

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The newly unveiled Sankt Lukas Hospice by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) will be located in Denmark and will serve as a palliative care center rooted in the history of the Sankt Lukas Foundation, which dates back to the 1930s. Designed as a village surrounded by serene natural landscapes, the 8,500 square-meter (91,500 square-foot) facility houses Denmark’s first day hospice, along with specialized units for children, youth, and adults.

With the capacity to care for approximately 2,100 patients annually, the facility will more than triple the previous capacity. The design prioritizes three core principles — safety and a sense of home, solitude and togetherness, and arrival and farewell. The architecture will be scattered among its woodland context, while the buildings will echo the surrounding historic structures with pitched roofs and repurposed yellow bricks.

images © Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

bjarke ingels designs gardened spaces for Life’s Final Days

Each patient room at Sankt Lukas Hospice is designed by Bjarke Ingels Group with direct access to a private terrace and views of the surrounding green garden. The architects link ground-floor rooms to the courtyard through adjacent corridors, reinforcing the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director of BIG, describes the project as ‘a peaceful and poetic environment’ where individuals can connect with nature and observe the changing seasons. ‘Instead of the linear corridors of hospitals, we have created an environment of smaller buildings arranged around protected natural gardens,’ he explains. One of the key features is the farewell garden, a space where the roof opens fully toward the sky, providing room for final moments and symbolic journeys.

the project will include Denmark’s first day hospice and units for children, youth, and adults

A Landscape for Healing and Reflection

Guests are welcomed by an open foyer with views of lush courtyard gardens. The central heart spaces in both buildings function as gathering areas for community and well-being. Lukashuset includes family rooms for privacy and togetherness, along with activity spaces for play and reflection. The adult hospice provides larger common areas for activities and meetings.

David Zahle, Partner at BIG, emphasizes the importance of care in the design approach. ‘By repurposing bricks from the existing buildings and drawing inspiration from the site’s traditional craftsmanship, the project is deeply rooted in its environment,’ he notes. Bright, open spaces foster a sense of peace, with large windows that bring nature indoors, framing moments of grief, healing, and reflection.

designed to care for 2,100 patients annually, the hospice will triple the current capacity of the site

The surrounding landscape acts as a natural buffer from the city while extending the park’s character. The interconnected environments include open lawns, intimate gardens, a sensory garden, and winding paths. Specific areas feature a wild grass meadow, seasonal flowering plants, and gardens inspired by Danish natural landscapes. A rainwater pond promotes biodiversity, while benches and niches along pathways provide spaces for rest and contemplation.

At the western end of the hospice, a woodland-inspired atrium houses the farewell garden. This peaceful space with an open view of the sky offers a symbolic connection to the infinite, serving as a place for final moments.

a ‘farewell garden’ offers a peaceful woodland-inspired atrium with an open view of the sky

the design uses repurposed yellow bricks and pitched roofs to echo historic structures

central heart spaces and family rooms balance solitude and community for patients and families

patient rooms with private terraces and garden views are linked by sunlit corridors

serene gardens, sensory spaces, and a rainwater pond create a healing connection to nature

project info:

name: Sankt Lukas Hospice

architect: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) | @big_builds

location: Hellerup, Denmark

client: Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond

collaborators: Creo Arkitekter | @creo_arkitekter

area: 8,500 square meters (91,500 square feet)

status: in design

visualizations: © Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

partner in charge: Bjarke Ingels, David Zahle
BIG sustainability: Iván Ares Igrexas, Lucas Malthe Mikkelsen, Victor-Antoine Delorme
design lead: Lisbet Fritze Trentemøller
project team: Aanchal Ashok Tejwani, Adrianna Karnaszewska, Elia Tonutti, loannis Mathioudakis, Matthew Goodwill, Nanna Gyldholm Møller, Roberto Fabbri
BIG landscape: Claudia Jaegerman, Gaspard Del Marmol, Louise Mould, Paola Yepes Bocanegra, Ulla Hornsyld, William Emil George Abdou

The post bjarke ingels group unveils sankt lukas hospice, a village-like center in denmark’s woodlands appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

The second installment of the acclaimed docu-series Women in Architecture takes center stage as it continues to explore equity and creativity in the built environment. Produced by Sky-Frame and directed by Boris Noir, this second part follows the journeys of architects Dorte Mandrup and Tosin Oshinowo, two professionals whose work bridges cultural and professional contexts. From Copenhagen to Lagos, the documentary reveals how their distinct paths converge in their shared challenges and transformative contributions to the field.

initiated by Sky-Frame, the second part of the acclaimed docu-series Women in Architecture takes center stage as it continues to explore equity and creativity in the built environment | all images courtesy of Sky-Frame

What is Women in Architecture?

Women in Architecture is a documentary series designed to amplify the voices of women in a field traditionally dominated by men. Launched by Sky-Frame, the initiative celebrates female contributions to architecture while igniting conversations about diversity and inclusivity. By merging personal stories with professional achievements, the series highlights how architects like Dorte Mandrup from Denmark and Nigerian-based Tosin Oshinowo are reshaping architecture. Premiered on November 12, 2024, this second part furthers the mission of encouraging women to overcome barriers and realize their potential in the field. 

Dorte Mandrup graduated from the Aarhus School of Architecture in 1991 and founded her Copenhagen-based studio in 1999, where she leads as Creative Director and oversees all projects. Celebrated for her unconventional vision and dedication to advancing architecture, she has earned national and international recognition for her groundbreaking designs. Similarly, Lagos-based Nigerian architect and designer Tosin Oshinowo is known for her socially conscious approach to urbanism. Since founding Oshinowo Studio (formerly cmDesign Atelier) in 2013, she has focused on creating civic and residential spaces that emphasize equity, sustainability, and respect for both nature and cultural heritage. 

‘one of the goals when you do architecture is to create moments that have emotional importance,’ says architect Dorte Mandrup

‘when women are involved in causes, there’s always more cause for inclusivity because a woman will think […] much further beyond herself,’ says Tosin Oshinowo

Architectural Journeys Across Cultures

This installment delves into the distinct trajectories of its two protagonists, uncovering the forces that shape their philosophies and practices. Dorte Mandrup, based in Copenhagen, is celebrated for her bold, innovative approach to architecture. Known for projects such as the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre, Mandrup pushes boundaries to create spaces that harmonize with their natural surroundings.‘One of the goals when you do architecture is to create moments that have emotional importance […] The more I got into the business, the more I understood that […] women were not taken seriously as equal parts of discussion of Architecture,’ expresses Dorte Mandrup.

Lagos-based Tosin Oshinowo takes a different yet equally profound approach. Her work is rooted in a socially conscious perspective, emphasizing sustainability, equity, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Through her studio, founded in 2013, Oshinowo designs civic and residential spaces that honor both community needs and ecological balance. Together, these architects demonstrate the transformative potential of diverse perspectives in architecture.

the vibrant streets of Lagos

The documentary distinguishes itself through its focus on personal narratives, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of its featured architects. By spotlighting only two central figures, it creates space for a deeper emotional connection with viewers, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the nuances of each story. From the icy landscapes of Northern Europe to the vibrant streets of Lagos, the series goes beyond architecture to celebrate the human stories behind the designs. ‘When women are involved in causes, there’s always more cause for inclusivity because a woman will think […] much further beyond herself. […] The irony is that a lot of people probably think that women are the more malleable of the sexes, but I believe that if a woman really believes in a cause, she will fight for it to the death,’ says Tosin Oshinowo.

the icy landscapes of Northern Europe

Ilulissat Icefjord Centre by Dorte Mandrup

Through its evocative cinematography and narrative depth, Women in Architecture emphasizes the universal struggles and triumphs of its subjects. The series sheds light on the obstacles women face within the profession and broader societal contexts, offering a moving exploration of resilience, creativity, and determination.

With its global perspective, the series transcends geographic and cultural boundaries to reveal shared truths about ambition, persistence, and the power of architecture to shape lives. From the joy of building users to the pride of creators, the documentary captures the lasting impact of architectural work.

by showcasing diversity and equity in architecture, Women in Architecture broadens perspectives and ensures that the built environment reflects and serves all communities

the series goes beyond architecture to celebrate the human stories behind the designs.

‘the irony is that a lot of people probably think that women are the more malleable of the sexes, but I believe that if a woman really believes in a cause, she will fight for it to the death,’ adds Tosin Oshinowo

‘the more I got into the business, the more I understood that […] women were not taken seriously as equal parts of discussion of Architecture,’ exclaims Dorte Mandrup

through its evocative cinematography and narrative depth, Women in Architecture emphasizes the universal struggles and triumphs of its subjects

project info:

title: Women in Architecture – Part 2

producer: Sky-Frame | @skyframe_global

director: Borís Noir | @borisnoir

featured architects: Dorte Mandrup (Copenhagen, Denmark); Tosin Oshinowo (Lagos, Nigeria)

release date: November 12, 2024

full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vvgVxzZazA&t=2s

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