Henning Larsen

Meet Computational Design Engineer, Diego Ratia. Based in Copenhagen, Diego started his journey with us as an intern in the summer of 2021. Part of our Research and Innovation team, he works as a computational design engineer specialized in microclimate. "I am always impressed by the rapid integration of interns into workflows and the significance given to their contributions. My experience was no different. As an intern, I was fully engaged in projects from day one, and my work was valued for its active contribution, not just production. Today, as a full-time computational design engineer, I focus on sustainability aspects, feeling an increased sense of responsibility and self-confidence. In the Research and Innovation team, we are all allowed to engage in topics we are passionate about, giving our best for the benefit of the entire team." Learn more about Diego's journey here https://hnglr.sn/4e5IvYj.

In the South Tyrol region of the Italian Alps, Bolzano's post-industrial zone is an area in transition. Our urban design concept for ‘Ponte Roma Quartier’ will restore a vital connection to the city center, set around a central park which permeates through the area. Preserving the industrial heritage through adaptive reuse and urban mining, the district will be transformed into an inviting multi-generational, mixed-use, and timber-constructed neighborhood with a solution to the city's housing crisis. The historical Bolzano's walkable charm will be reflected and enhanced with improved pedestrian routes and cycling infrastructure. Two expansive open-concept industrial buildings will be transformed into public spaces featuring cafes, shops, eateries, common areas, and a climbing gym. 1000 new homes will be created including affordable housing and accommodation for 500 students just a few minutes by bike from the University of Bolzano in the historic center. Timber construction is prioritized throughout the design. Read more about the project here: https://hnglr.sn/46T1Rwo In collaboration with SIGNA Group of Companies, Habitat, CKSA, area17, ingena, CISMA Visuals by Vivid-Vision

Transforming Betty Nansen’s Plads into a dynamic social hub for the city of Copenhagen, Betty Junkfood blurs boundaries between working, volunteering, and social interaction. Located on the ground floor of a social housing block that is home to families, youth, the elderly and the disabled, Betty Junkfood is bringing an inclusive identity to a previously disconnected urban space. The cultural center houses a café, led by Kaffe Karma, a local socio-economic organization that integrates socially disadvantaged and mentally vulnerable individuals into the workforce. The kitchen is run by JunkFood CPH, an NGO led by a Michelin-starred chef, which prepares nutritious, carefully crafted meals for those experiencing homelessness in and around Copenhagen. With help from the updated facility, the organization has gone from being able to produce 330 meals a day to 5000 meals daily. The kitchen also extends out into the city, delivering food for communal meals in other housing departments in the area. Learn more about the project here https://hnglr.sn/3Y86AYc. In collaboration with KAB and Frederiksberg Kommune. The project was supported by the A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation. Images by Rune Bundgaard.

Designing a space to enable cultural life on a scale that hasn’t previously been possible in Australia’s capital, Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC) is imagined as a vibrant, multi-event, all-inclusive space that will be the anchor project for the future of Canberra’s Civic and Cultural District. Together with Architectus and Arup, our design will transform and expand the existing space into a new home for performing arts in Canberra. A home that we envision as both a national landmark and an international destination for artists and audiences alike. This new cultural heart will celebrate community, diverse heritage, and artistic expression, where people come together to share in the power of performance and storytelling. We are honoured to be part of the project, and to work alongside the ACT Government and First Nations consultants, Yerrabingin Pty Ltd to create a centre of performance excellence, rooted in the region. Find all the details here https://hnglr.sn/4dU6kT1. Renders by Aesthetica.Studio.

In the Faroese village of Gøtugjógv, GJÁI Kindergarten sits within the mountainous landscape. A place for young children from surrounding communities, the design follows the natural contours of the terrain. Featuring a daycare center and kindergarten, the two-story building has views of the sea and mountains with large outdoor play areas and an abundance of natural light filling the indoor learning spaces. The building is composed of CLT beams and ash wood and contains a geothermal heating system. Skylights and timber materials optimize heating efficiency and promote natural ventilation flows, creating a comfortable environment for learning and play. Want to learn more? Read about the project in THE PLAN https://hnglr.sn/3YsBPP5. Images by Nic Lehoux.

As educational institutions are increasingly focused on digitalization, we must rethink how we design learning spaces to not only address climate change and biodiversity loss but ensure we stay connected to the natural systems that support us. Nature plays an integral role in reducing students’ stress by nearly 30% , enhancing focus by 20%, and improving overall wellbeing, offering us a powerful blueprint to reimagine learning environments. Our Associate Design Director, Maine Godderidge shares her three key takeaways from using nature as a design co-pilot. “By integrating nature, our work becomes the teacher, shaping how students and the broader community think about their relationship with the world around them” Curious to read more? Find the full story here https://hnglr.sn/3Nvlumu. Images by Sora, Vivid-Vision, Frederick Jones, and Rasmus Hjortshøj.

We are restoring Bergen's historic courthouse. “Transformation strengthens cultural heritage, and we’ve been given the unique opportunity to revisit and preserve the building’s rich history, renewing its significance and reinforcing its presence in the cityscape,” says Grete Kristin Hennissen, Divison Leader. Originally designed by architect Egill Reimers in 1933, the courthouse remains a testament to civic heritage, but the space no longer meets today’s standards for security, functionality, or capacity to remain fully operational. The newly renovated courthouse will optimize court operations, improve accessibility, and enhance the public experience while strengthening security for users, employees, and visitors. With large parts of the building protected, the project will restore the interior with a commitment to preserving and honoring the structure's architectural heritage. Construction is set to begin immediately, with completion expected in 2027. The restoration of the courthouse will be done in collaboration with HENT AS, Origo, and ARKITEKTKONTORET SCHJELDERUP & GRAM AS commissioned by Statsbygg. Learn more about the project here https://hnglr.sn/3NtM3IK. Photo: Trond Isaksen/Statsbygg

Our Life Cycle Assessment of Kirkehøjgaard, a centuries-old farm restored with a focus on biogenic materials, highlights opportunities for a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to renovation. The renovation, conducted by Kirkehøjgård's owner, prioritized local, recycled materials and bio-based alternatives when added resources were needed and the heating system was upgraded to geothermal energy. Unlike typical restorations that rely on materials like mineral wool and reinforced concrete for insulation, this initiative chose low-impact solutions such as hempcrete, limecrete and leca, to name a few. Placing these solutions into the bigger picture, the LCA report compared its restoration calculations to those of a standard renovation – revealing a 30% reduction in total CO2 emissions. These numbers also emphasized that bio-based solutions can continue to uphold longstanding conservation values. Find more information about the project and download the full report (in Danish) here https://hnglr.sn/3YoT7g8. The LCA report was conducted in collaboration with Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen.

Vinstra Park, designed for floodwater protection in a susceptible climate, is a finalist for the Norwegian Landscape Architecture Award 2024, hosted by Norske landskapsarkitekters forening. The project is located in Southeast Norway and features a water drainage dip running through its entire 15.78 hectares/39 acres with vegetation near the stream able to withstand both droughts and floods. A month prior to the park's opening in September of 2023, a major flood occurred in Gudbrandsdalen. During a previous flood in 2013 the park area was flooded, but 10 years later, the flood protection proved to function as intended. Surrounded by a sports hall, high school, and bus terminal, Vinstra Park shares a close connection to the city center, and features a playground, pump track, walking path, zipline, and a pavilion designed by RAM arkitektur. A large plaza connects paths and facilitates movement through the space. The choice of materials and plants is based on the conditions of the Midt-Gudbrandsdalen region, featuring mountains, pine forests, and grazing landscapes. Large solitary pine trees and much of the existing pine forest has been preserved in the design. Find all of the project's details here https://hnglr.sn/3Nsmhop. In collaboration with Ramboll, Nord-Fron kommune RAM arkitektur, and Norconsult. Images by Tom Gustavsen.

It's Moesgaard Museum's 10th anniversary. Nestled into the rolling landscape of southern Aarhus, and displaying world-class exhibitions that dive into human history, Moesgaard Museum offers visitors a unique experience combining nature, culture, and history. Beyond a mere museum building, our ambition for the 16,000 m² museum was to craft a destination that would not only be a hub for learning and culture but also a vibrant center that resonates with the local community. Its publicly accessible sloping roof, landscaped with grass and moss, makes the museum a striking icon in its historical setting. Besides offering an exciting viewpoint over its surroundings, amongst the roof’s varied uses are a theater stage, cycling track, and picnic spot. And in winter, after snowfall, it makes for the area’s most popular tobogganing slope! Over the last decade, the range of these practices has totally exceeded our expectations, as has the substantial increase in the museum’s popularity, now reaching over half a million visitors per year. Learn more about the project here https://hnglr.sn/4e2L5iK. Images by HUFTON & CROW LTD, Martin Schubert, Jan Kofod Winther, and Rasmus Hjortshøj.