Schmidt hammer lassen

Infobox Company
name = schmidt hammer lassen architects

type = Architect Practice
genre =
foundation = 1986
founder = Morten Schmidt, Bjarne Hammer and John F. Lassen
location_city = Aarhus (Headquarters), Copenhagen, London and Oslo
location_country =
location =
locations =
area_served =
key_people = Partners Morten Schmidt, Bjarne Hammer, John F. Lassen, Morten Holm, Kim Holst Jensen and Stephen David Willacy.
industry =
products = Danish Royal Library, ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Katuaq Culture Centre in Nuuk
services =
revenue =
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parent =
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homepage =
footnotes =
intl =
Key Projects =

schmidt hammer lassen architects is an architectural practice founded in Aarhus, Denmark in 1986. In 2008, the practice has grown to four offices in Aarhus, Copenhagen, Oslo and London.

The practice has a track record as designers of high-profile cultural buildings; art galleries, educational complexes and libraries. Projects underway include the Amazon Court office building in Prague, the City of Westminster College in London, the Thor Heyerdahl College in Norway, The University of Aberdeen New Library in Scotland and a number of construction projects and master plans in China, with a total of approximately one and a half million square metres currently under development.

Democratic approach to architecture

The common denominator underlying the practice’s work is a democratic approach to an architecture which can accommodate modern, open and multifunctional meeting-places.

History in brief

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The project in Nuuk was followed by first prize in the international competition for the extension of the Danish Royal Library in Copenhagen. The library has become one of the practice’s most known buildings often referred to as the Black Diamond. The black granite façade of the building leans slightly towards the water with the effect that the water is reflected in the glazed façade. Although monumental the building is inviting and provides intimate spaces inside the building and by the entrance.

ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum completed in 2003 is the central art venue of Aarhus – a city with a strong modernist presence embodied in Aarhus University and Arne Jacobsen’s Aarhus Raadhus. schmidt hammer lassen architects’ building is a vast cube divided by a central street and spiral staircase.

The schmidt hammer lassen partners are Morten Schmidt, Bjarne Hammer, John F. Lassen, Morten Holm, Kim Holst Jensen and Stephen David Willacy. Associated partners are Kasper Frandsen, Trine Berthold and Kristian Ahlmark. Bente Damgaard is CEO.

schmidt hammer lassen design

Infobox Company
name = schmidt hammer lassen design

type = Design Practice
genre =
foundation = 1986
founder = Morten Schmidt, Bjarne Hammer and John F. Lassen
location_city = Aarhus (Headquarters), Copenhagen, London and Oslo
location_country =
location =
locations =
area_served =
key_people = Lars Vejen
industry =
products = Flakes chair, Focus Lighting, Idea Water Fixtures, Swan Neck
services =
revenue =
operating_income =
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homepage =
footnotes =
intl =
Key Projects = Danfoss reception desk

In the tradition of Scandinavian architects like Arne Jacobsen, Jørn Utzon and Alvar Aalto, schmidt hammer lassen design furniture and products for their large architectural projects such as ARoS Aarhus Museum of Art and the Danish Royal Library. Starting as an intention and ambition of increasing the overall quality of architectural projects, schmidt hammer lassen design is today an independent department working on architecturally related designs and independent products with international manufacturers.

The current product range includes light fixtures for Philips Lighting, Lampas and Focus, indoor furniture Piiroinen and DJOB / Montana, outdoor street furniture for Veksoe and unique pieces such as the sculptural receptions desk at Danfoss.

Selected Projects

*The Danish Royal Library in Copenhagen Denmark
*ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum in Aarhus, Denmark
*Katuaq Culture Centre in Nuuk, Greenland
*Performers' House in Silkeborg, Denmark
*Culture Island in Middelfart, Denmark
*Halmstad Library in Halmstad, Sweden
*Växjö Library in Växjö, Sweden
*The Frigate Jylland, Denmark
*DGI City in Copenhagen, Denmark
*Amazon Court in Prague, Czech Republic
*NRGi Headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark
*Nykredit Headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark
*Thor Heyerdahl College in Larvik, Norway

Literature

*Marianne Ibler (2007) Global Danish Architecture #2 - Housing. Copenhagen, Denmark: Archipress

*schmidt hammer lassen (1999) The Royal Library - Architectural Images. Copenhagen, Denmark: Gyldendal

*Forster et al. (2005) 10x10_2. London, UK: Phaidon.

External links

schmidt hammer lassen architects official website [http://www.shl.dk]