This article is part of our ongoing series on the Top 10 Architecture Firms around the world.
Architects play a critical role in designing the buildings and spaces we interact with on a daily basis. Designing places we actually want to live and work in can lead to dramatic increases in overall mental health, physical well-being, and happiness. Denmark takes that idea and multiplies it by 10.
Nobody is doing architecture quite like the Danes right now with new and exciting projects coming out of this small northern-European country every week. If you missed our posts on The MUST-SEE Architecture in Copenhagen, or the Architecture Schools in Denmark, I also recommend checking them out as well.
The Top 10 isn’t a ranking, just a collection of what I believe are the best firms in the country based on their perceived reputation and personal opinion. I also want to thank each office for the photos that they’ve provided for this article. With that said, here are my picks for The Top 10 Architecture Firms in Denmark.
BIG Architects
It’s hard to dive into contemporary Danish architecture without mentioning the work of BIG Architects. With offices in Copenhagen, New York, and London, the company is defying normal conventions in design while incorporating sustainable development principles and bold sociological concepts. With projects like the flagship LEGO House in Billund, a Harbor Bath in Aarhus, and a Stepped housing block in Stockholm, it’s easy to see why the firm has built such a huge global following.
Favourite project: 8 House
Henning Larsen
Founded way back in 1959, Henning Larsen has evolved into one of the world’s most progressive and professional architecture companies. Drawing on a rich history of Scandinavian design tradition, their work is deeply rooted in sustainability and the local context. Amongst their many great works are the Moesgaard Museum in
Favorite project: Eystur Town Hall (Instagram)
COBE Architects
COBE Architects seems to have mastered the art of finding beauty in forgotten spaces. With projects like the Red Cross Volunteer House and the Tingbjerg Library in Copenhagen, their thoughtful investigations into the built environment lead to highly creative urban solutions that give life to neglected places.
Favorite project: The Silo (instagram)
3XN Architects
Deeply rooted in the Scandinavian traditions of functionality and beauty, 3XN is known for challenging conventions and creating beautiful environments that bring the best out of the people that use them. They are currently designing a stunning new fish market in Sydney that will become a cultural destination along the city’s iconic harborfront, and the Olympic House (pictured) which will become the new headquarters for the IOC.
Favorite project: Den Blå Planet (Instagram)
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
With over 30 years of experience, SHL has been building a wide range of international projects that focus on the people using them. Their projects are highly technical, with an emphasis on creating sustainable and culturally sensitive designs. Their most iconic work is the Royal Library in Copenhagen, with Malmö Live (pictured) and the Halifax Central Library in Canada showing the depth of their ability.
Favorite project: Dokk1 (Instagram)
Related Article
Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter
Founded in 1985 by architects Boje Lundgaard and Lene Tranberg, the practice is deeply rooted in Nordic architectural tradition with an emphasis on humanism, craftsmanship, and simplification as central values. Some of their best work can be found in their designs for the Tietgen Dormitory,Axel Towers, and Royal Danish Theater’s Playhousein Copenhagen.
Favorite project: Kannikegården (Instagram)
C.F. Møller Architects
C.F. Møller Architects has been designing buildings since 1924 – an incredible accomplishment. Their projects are sensitive to their local context and built with good craftsmanship. The company has built a strong reputation in the fields of urban planning, landscape, and architecture and have recently completed the Copenhagen International School and Maersk Tower (pictured) in Copenhagen.
Favorite project: Copenhagen International School (Instagram)
CEBRA
CEBRA has been operating within the social, environmental and economic realms of architecture. Their work is people-friendly, and deeply focused on the alchemy of human empathy and architectural expression. Their most celebrated works include the Iceberg (in collaboration with JDS, SeARCH, and Louis Paillard), the Experimentarium in Hellerup (pictured), and a Summer House in Vejle.
Favorite project: Children’s Home of the Future (Instagram)
JDS Architects
Julien De Smedt Architects (JDS) is a multidisciplinary office in the fields of architecture and design. At its core, JDS is an intense research and analysis firm that studies practical and theoretical matters and transforms them into inspiring designs. Their designs are both adventurous and playful in nature, and it can be seen in some of their most public and high profile designs – like the Holmenkollen Ski Jump in Oslo and the Kalvebod Waves Harbor Bath (pictured) in Copenhagen.
Favorite project: Bike City
EFFEKT
Meaning impact in Danish, EFFEKT is an emerging architectural collaborative in Copenhagen concerned with the impact buildings have on their surroundings (and the planet). The office has some exciting projects in the works with the upcoming Camp Adventure Park (pictured), and a Housing Complex in Slovakia to name a few.
Favorite project: ReGen Villages (Instagram)
