Henning Larsen

Malan has been part of the team since 2015, working as a Landscape Architect in both Denmark and the Faroe Islands. We sat down with her to reflect on her motivations and achievements throughout her career at Henning Larsen. "I am the only landscape architect in our small team, so I have the privilege of working on many different projects. From small scale streetscapes to larger urban plans. Although diverse in scale and theme, one thing that projects often have in common is the opportunity to make an impact. By making small alterations or interventions we can change how spaces are perceived and used by people," says Malan. Learn more about her journey here https://hnglr.sn/3L04unl. Image of Klaksvik City Center by Nic Lehoux.

How do we beat the heat? In-house industrial PhD Fellow Gulin Yazicioglu spends her time researching how we can mitigate the urban heat island effect in the future: "I'm investigating transformative potential of green infrastructure in shaping the the future resilience of cities. In the retrofitting of our cities, integrating greenery in alignment with urban layouts becomes incredibly important, contributing not only to temperature regulation but also improving overall environmental sustainability and biodiversity." Part of the research includes explorations of future scenarios in cities around the world, starting with Copenhagen. 👇

Every aspect of urban development can contribute to heat amplification, ranging from the design of buildings to the vehicles used for transportation. The New York Times explores innovative efforts in Singapore to mitigate the 'urban heat island effect' and cool the city down. The story highlights our design for Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, "Air temperature measurements show that Singapore’s 155-acre Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park can be up to about 2 degrees cooler than high-density residential blocks in the middle of the city." Researchers suggest that large green spaces such as parks offer a practical intervention with the ability to cool areas extending beyond their immediate vicinity. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is part of Singapore's network of green corridors that connect green spaces together and allow cool air to flow throughout the city. These initiatives and adjustments alone cannot bring about the large scale changes needed to slow the current rise in temperature, but they can offer creative approaches working toward urban resiliency. To learn more, find the full article here https://hnglr.sn/3L9Sa3X. Discover more about Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park here: https://hnglr.sn/4erRNix. Images by Shiang Han Lim

The biggest threat to nature is the lack of space, and every day, plant and animal species disappear. By utilizing the city’s vertical space, flora and fauna can be significantly increased, but we have to do it in a way that accommodates local climates and native species. "A building in Denmark can never look as lush as one in Singapore. So instead, we’ve designed a facade that adapts to the dynamic of the changing seasons in Scandinavia,” says Jakob Strømann-Andersen about the new green facade system we developed together with KOMPROMENT and BG Byggros, Danmark. The first project to integrate the facade is in Nordø, in Copenhagen’s Northern Harbor district. For this microclimate, which includes harsh winds, cold temperatures, and salt from the sea, the team has selected plants with two very different sets of qualities; some plants look beautiful 365 days a year but are naturally low in biodiversity, whereas others are hosts to as many as 132 different native insects, albeit not very pretty on the eye during colder months. In that way, the facade accommodates the need for both an aesthetically appealing solution and one that promotes biodiversity. Read more about the facade here https://hnglr.sn/4cYo3IL. Photos by Rasmus Hjortshøj

In 1996, our extension of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen was completed. The art museum continues to be one of Copenhagen's most beloved landmarks housing over 10,000 works of art and archaeological objects. The extended structure is located in the Glyptotek's former conservation area and is separated from the rest of the museum by a broad, gently rising, glass-covered marble stairway that leads up to the three exhibition floors and onwards up to a rooftop terrace. The original building, built by Vilhelm Dahlerup in 1897, was designed to be open only during daylight hours. Although artificial lighting was later added, natural light remains essential to the museum's architecture and the viewing of its artworks. Our extension, adding to the works of Vilhelm Dahlerup and Hack Kampmann, mirrors this philosophy illuminating the past through a rich sequence of natural light. One of the most striking decorative features of the building is the glass roof's bars, which cast shadows on the stairwell walls on sunny days. Images by Rasmus Hjortshøj.

Dongguan Central Park is a winner at the World Landscape Architecture Professional Awards. The project has been recognized for its innovative integration of nature and the built environment and its evident impact on visitors. Located along Xinji River in China, a water-sensitive design approach weaves through Dongguan Central Park, acting as an ideal habitat, a spot to play, or the perfect place for a morning stroll. Using nature-based solutions, the “P-L-A-C-E making” principles of the park – People-oriented, Legible, Active, Cleansed, Ecological – were the blueprint for revitalizing industrial Dongguan into a centre of a future global city to live, work and play. The 2024 WLA Professional Awards announced Dongguan Central Park Phase 1 as an Honour Award winner in the Built – Large Landscape Design category. Read more here https://hnglr.sn/4cdCIQc. Images by DiD Photography.

Smyril Line's new HQ in Tórshavn is officially under construction. Embracing the picturesque backdrop of the lush landscapes and open seas of the Faroe Islands, the design for Smyril Line's new headquarters and ferry terminal in the Faroese capital pays homage to traditional Faroese fishing boats and the historic Eastern harbor. Once the primary gateway connecting the Faroe Islands with the rest of the world, Tórshavn's Eastern harbor holds sentimental value for many Faroese people, serving as a departure point for loved ones embarking on new journeys or as a romantic setting for leisurely strolls along the water. In recent years, the harbor was closed to the public due to Schengen port security measures. The new terminal, logistics centre, and office building, totaling 8,000 m2, captures the essence of the nostalgia found in 1950’s black-and-white photographs showing crowds gathering to bid farewell to departing passengers. By separating passengers and freight, the historic promenade is reconnected with the capital. "Our design is a testament to the captivating beauty and maritime legacy of the Faroe Islands. The integration of wood, with its elegant lines, draws inspiration from the distinct charm of traditional Faroese boats and the historic Eastern harbor. We are proud to embark on the journey to creating this transformative space that celebrates and reconnects the community with their cherished heritage," says Ósbjørn Jacobsen, Partner and Design Director, Faroe Islands. Read more: https://hnglr.sn/4cc72up Renders by ELEMENT

A new era begins. Our Managing Director, Mette Kynne Frandsen steps down by the end of August this year. Mette has been with Henning Larsen for more than 30 years, holding the postion of Managing Director for over 20 years. During that time, we have grown from a 80-person office in Copenhagen to being more than 600 people spread across twenty studios in 8 countries. “Henning Larsen himself saw opportunities before others and had created a curious and strong professional culture. When I succeeded Henning there was a great deal of international potential, and we were eager to bring our culture and architecture to life outside Denmark. I am incredibly proud that I can now look back on an exciting journey where we have not only grown the business and made the company a global player but also brought Danish architecture and significant signature projects to the entire world," says Mette Kynne Frandsen about the end of her personal journey with us. On September 1, she will hand over the leadership to Jacob Kurek. Read more: https://hnglr.sn/3VNFDJB

Our Computational Design Team is constantly sharing knowledge and exploring innovative ways to shape urban landscapes for the benefit of all residents, human or otherwise.   Mariusz Hermansdorfer, Head of Computational Design, explains below how he and the team are working to make environmental analysis for urban design more accessible.

Construction is underway on Raleigh's new city hall. Conceived as the first phase of the Civic Campus Master Plan and designed to reflect Raleigh’s status as a 21st Century City of Innovation, the new civic tower aims to provide high-quality public service and healthy workplaces in a culturally inclusive urban space. The 17-story city hall will be constructed on the site of the former Police Headquarters/Municipal Building, and is envisioned as a mixed-use, walkable destination anchored by the new East Civic Tower’s gracious public realm linked back to Raleigh's historic Nash Square. The building accommodates departmental office space and conference facilities, public-facing government functions, a new Council Chamber, wellness space for staff, an art gallery, and lobby for a public facing coffee bar/grab-and-go. Developed through a unique and close collaboration with the City of Raleigh Municipal Government, Henning Larsen is the Design Architect for the project in collaboration with Architect of Record, RATIO Design. Raleigh City Hall's official groundbreaking was June 11th. Read more here https://hnglr.sn/4c5HzTx.