3XN
Approach
Architecture is creative futurology. That is why we always try to understand the context in which we build – the physical surroundings as well as the social, cultural and historical context in general. It is a process that is ultimately about the people who will live in the buildings for many years to come. This dialogue often continues long after construction is complete.
Architecture is story-telling. We listen to the story the site is telling us, and that story becomes part of the concept we develop. We investigate the site and we ask people questions in order to find the story the building should tell. This is the process we have summoned with the words ‘investigate, ask, tell, draw, build’.
Architecture shapes the world. We constantly seek to develop designs that encompass in a single expression the spatial needs, the spirit of the location, the constructive solution and the main theme of the project. This is a process equally divided between craftsmanship and deliberations. And it is driven by a love of good design.
Architecture creates behaviour. That is why we try to create places where people can interact and communicate and where synergy can grow. We believe that buildings, like people, are more than just the sum of their many parts. We believe that it is possible to achieve a synthesis of design, function and context. That is why a holistic approach is our guiding principle, and why we are forever exploring the possibilities of building better, cleverer, more beautifully.
History
3XN was founded as Nielsen, Nielsen and Nielsen in Aarhus in 1986 by the architects Kim Herforth Nielsen, Lars Frank Nielsen (partner until 2002) and Hans Peter Svendler Nielsen (partner until 1992). The three Nielsen architects, often referred to as the Nielsens – and today simply as 3XN – quickly became known for two things: their preference for ground-breaking architecture, in defiance of the anti-humanistic modernism, and projects demanding a high level of detail and employing workmanship of the highest quality.
A first breakthrough came with the court house in Holstebro (1992), which was followed by a number of first prizes in architectural competitions, such as the Architects’ House in Copenhagen (1994) The Glass Museum in Ebeltoft (1995) the Oceanarium in Hirtshals (1996), the Danish Embassy in Berlin (1998) and the concert hall Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam (1997). The two latter structures, which were highly acclaimed, made a name on the international architectural scene for the artistically ambitious Danish architects with their distinctive approach and carefully planned spatial formations.
The Muziekgebouw, completed 2005, together with Museum of Liverpool (2004-) and the Cube in Berlin (first prize 2007), marks the focus on culture buildings and prestigious international competitions, without, however, compromising on the continued development of original solutions in plans, facades and organisation of the interiors. This two-fold ambition shows in the Danish upper secondary school Ørestad Gymnasium (2004-2007), which has revolutionised school architecture and attracts interest from all over the world. Together with a number of original corporate headquarters designs such as FIH, Deloitte, Saxo Bank, Horten and KPMG, this became e new platform for the practice. Daring concepts and design also characterize master plans and housing projects like the Lighthouse in Aarhus and the new Denmark’s Aquarium, The Blue Planet, in Copenhagen. The latter being a spectacular design inspired by a whirlpool, which one critic in the Danish daily Politiken found so original as to warrant a comparison to Jørn Utzon’s opera house in Sidney.
The partnership today consists of Founder Kim Herforth Nielsen; CEO Bo Boje Larsen who became Partner in 2003; and Head of Competition Jan Ammundsen who became Partner in 2007.
In 2007 3XN established GXN; a Research & Development department that scans the market and the latest research for pioneering ideas, focusing on green and digital architecture, new materials, technology, and working methods.
Organization
3XN became a limited liability company in 1995. The firm’s head office is located in Copenhagen, where approximately 80 employees operate in a project-oriented network structure. At every project stage we team up in workshops with partners, experts, users etc., discussing the results of our research and developing the concept and framework for the design work. We work with cardboard models a lot, as they help us to share, discuss and evaluate different spatial solutions.
Our staff is a mix of experienced project architects and talented, young design architects. Each project team is headed by two partners, a contact partner and a backup partner, a head of project, a project manager, who might be a project architect, or a planning manager, as well as a design manager. The managerial functions are the responsibility of the experienced senior architects in the team. The project teams are composed of staff with a variety of expert competencies to ensure that every assignment is carried out optimally. At the end of each planning stage, we evaluate the process with regard to the dialogue with the client and partners, finances and time-frame.
3XN has three partners: The founder of 3XN, Kim Herforth Nielsen, MAA/RIBA, is the Principal Architect with overall creative responsibility. Bo Boje Larsen, MAA, is CEO and responsible for administration, finance, strategy and organisation. Jan Ammundsen, MAA, is head of the Competition Department.
The 3XN Board consists of the lawyer Torben Winnerskjold (chair); Vice-chancellor of the Danish School of Media and Journalism, Anne-Marie Dohm; former Director of pension fund PensionDanmark, Poul Hedegaard; 3XN Partners Kim Herforth Nielsen, Bo Boje Larsen, Jan Ammundsen.
Architecture is creative futurology. That is why we always try to understand the context in which we build – the physical surroundings as well as the social, cultural and historical context in general. It is a process that is ultimately about the people who will live in the buildings for many years to come. This dialogue often continues long after construction is complete.
Architecture is story-telling. We listen to the story the site is telling us, and that story becomes part of the concept we develop. We investigate the site and we ask people questions in order to find the story the building should tell. This is the process we have summoned with the words ‘investigate, ask, tell, draw, build’.
Architecture shapes the world. We constantly seek to develop designs that encompass in a single expression the spatial needs, the spirit of the location, the constructive solution and the main theme of the project. This is a process equally divided between craftsmanship and deliberations. And it is driven by a love of good design.
Architecture creates behaviour. That is why we try to create places where people can interact and communicate and where synergy can grow. We believe that buildings, like people, are more than just the sum of their many parts. We believe that it is possible to achieve a synthesis of design, function and context. That is why a holistic approach is our guiding principle, and why we are forever exploring the possibilities of building better, cleverer, more beautifully.
History
3XN was founded as Nielsen, Nielsen and Nielsen in Aarhus in 1986 by the architects Kim Herforth Nielsen, Lars Frank Nielsen (partner until 2002) and Hans Peter Svendler Nielsen (partner until 1992). The three Nielsen architects, often referred to as the Nielsens – and today simply as 3XN – quickly became known for two things: their preference for ground-breaking architecture, in defiance of the anti-humanistic modernism, and projects demanding a high level of detail and employing workmanship of the highest quality.
A first breakthrough came with the court house in Holstebro (1992), which was followed by a number of first prizes in architectural competitions, such as the Architects’ House in Copenhagen (1994) The Glass Museum in Ebeltoft (1995) the Oceanarium in Hirtshals (1996), the Danish Embassy in Berlin (1998) and the concert hall Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam (1997). The two latter structures, which were highly acclaimed, made a name on the international architectural scene for the artistically ambitious Danish architects with their distinctive approach and carefully planned spatial formations.
The Muziekgebouw, completed 2005, together with Museum of Liverpool (2004-) and the Cube in Berlin (first prize 2007), marks the focus on culture buildings and prestigious international competitions, without, however, compromising on the continued development of original solutions in plans, facades and organisation of the interiors. This two-fold ambition shows in the Danish upper secondary school Ørestad Gymnasium (2004-2007), which has revolutionised school architecture and attracts interest from all over the world. Together with a number of original corporate headquarters designs such as FIH, Deloitte, Saxo Bank, Horten and KPMG, this became e new platform for the practice. Daring concepts and design also characterize master plans and housing projects like the Lighthouse in Aarhus and the new Denmark’s Aquarium, The Blue Planet, in Copenhagen. The latter being a spectacular design inspired by a whirlpool, which one critic in the Danish daily Politiken found so original as to warrant a comparison to Jørn Utzon’s opera house in Sidney.
The partnership today consists of Founder Kim Herforth Nielsen; CEO Bo Boje Larsen who became Partner in 2003; and Head of Competition Jan Ammundsen who became Partner in 2007.
In 2007 3XN established GXN; a Research & Development department that scans the market and the latest research for pioneering ideas, focusing on green and digital architecture, new materials, technology, and working methods.
Organization
3XN became a limited liability company in 1995. The firm’s head office is located in Copenhagen, where approximately 80 employees operate in a project-oriented network structure. At every project stage we team up in workshops with partners, experts, users etc., discussing the results of our research and developing the concept and framework for the design work. We work with cardboard models a lot, as they help us to share, discuss and evaluate different spatial solutions.
Our staff is a mix of experienced project architects and talented, young design architects. Each project team is headed by two partners, a contact partner and a backup partner, a head of project, a project manager, who might be a project architect, or a planning manager, as well as a design manager. The managerial functions are the responsibility of the experienced senior architects in the team. The project teams are composed of staff with a variety of expert competencies to ensure that every assignment is carried out optimally. At the end of each planning stage, we evaluate the process with regard to the dialogue with the client and partners, finances and time-frame.
3XN has three partners: The founder of 3XN, Kim Herforth Nielsen, MAA/RIBA, is the Principal Architect with overall creative responsibility. Bo Boje Larsen, MAA, is CEO and responsible for administration, finance, strategy and organisation. Jan Ammundsen, MAA, is head of the Competition Department.
The 3XN Board consists of the lawyer Torben Winnerskjold (chair); Vice-chancellor of the Danish School of Media and Journalism, Anne-Marie Dohm; former Director of pension fund PensionDanmark, Poul Hedegaard; 3XN Partners Kim Herforth Nielsen, Bo Boje Larsen, Jan Ammundsen.
Awards
JEC Innovation Award 2010, Environment & Recycling, 'Louisiana Pavilion', DK (2009)
IDA Award 2009, New Commercial Building, Third Prize, 'Horten', DK (2009)
RIBA International Award 2009, ’Saxo Bank', DK (2008)
JEC Innovation Award 2009, Building & Construction, 'Horten', DK (2009)
Nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2009, ‘Ørestad College’, DK (2007)
Prime Property Awards 2008, Second Prize for Sustainable Real Estate Investment, 'Alsion', DK (2007)
Forum AID Award 2008, ‘Ørestad College’, DK (2007)
IDA Award 2008, Best Urban Design, ‘Museum of Liverpool’, UK (2011)
RIBA European Award 2007, ’Alsion’, DK (2007)
Nederlandse Bouwprijs 2006, ’Muziekgebouw’, NL (2005)
LEAF Award 2006, ’Muziekgebouw’, NL (2005)
Dedalo-Minosse Special Prize 2006, ’Muziekgebouw’, NL (2005)
Miami + Beach Bienal 2006, Silver Medal, ‘Museum of Liverpool’, UK (2011)
MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2006, ‘Nordhavnen Residences’, DK (2005)
MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2006, ‘Middelfart Savings Bank’, DK (2010)
RIBA Award 2005, ‘Sampension’, DK, (2003)
International Olympic Committee IOC/IAKS Award 2005, ‘DGI Urban Sports Centre’, DK (2003)
MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2004, ‘City for All Ages’, DK (2003)
Nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2003, ‘FIH Domicile’, DK (2002)
IDA Award 2009, New Commercial Building, Third Prize, 'Horten', DK (2009)
RIBA International Award 2009, ’Saxo Bank', DK (2008)
JEC Innovation Award 2009, Building & Construction, 'Horten', DK (2009)
Nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2009, ‘Ørestad College’, DK (2007)
Prime Property Awards 2008, Second Prize for Sustainable Real Estate Investment, 'Alsion', DK (2007)
Forum AID Award 2008, ‘Ørestad College’, DK (2007)
IDA Award 2008, Best Urban Design, ‘Museum of Liverpool’, UK (2011)
RIBA European Award 2007, ’Alsion’, DK (2007)
Nederlandse Bouwprijs 2006, ’Muziekgebouw’, NL (2005)
LEAF Award 2006, ’Muziekgebouw’, NL (2005)
Dedalo-Minosse Special Prize 2006, ’Muziekgebouw’, NL (2005)
Miami + Beach Bienal 2006, Silver Medal, ‘Museum of Liverpool’, UK (2011)
MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2006, ‘Nordhavnen Residences’, DK (2005)
MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2006, ‘Middelfart Savings Bank’, DK (2010)
RIBA Award 2005, ‘Sampension’, DK, (2003)
International Olympic Committee IOC/IAKS Award 2005, ‘DGI Urban Sports Centre’, DK (2003)
MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2004, ‘City for All Ages’, DK (2003)
Nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2003, ‘FIH Domicile’, DK (2002)
New book from 3XNArchitects
3XN
MIND YOUR BEHAVIOUR
Size 276 pages, illustrated
Language English
Proportions 240x170 mm, soft cover
Release March 4 2010 at the Danish Architecture Centre, Strandgade 27B, DK-1401 Copenhagen K, Denmark
ISBN 978-87-993680-0-6
3XN
"Investigate, Ask, Tell, Draw, Build"
- an insight into the work methods of 3XN
available in leading bookstores
MIND YOUR BEHAVIOUR
Size 276 pages, illustrated
Language English
Proportions 240x170 mm, soft cover
Release March 4 2010 at the Danish Architecture Centre, Strandgade 27B, DK-1401 Copenhagen K, Denmark
ISBN 978-87-993680-0-6
3XN
"Investigate, Ask, Tell, Draw, Build"
- an insight into the work methods of 3XN
available in leading bookstores
