Henning Larsen

How can big data drive a new design paradigm in urban development? As Copenhagen’s Refshaleøen district evolves into a dynamic cultural hub, a critical question arises: How can we propel development without compromising the area's distinctive creative spirit? In response to this challenge, we embarked on a journey into the realm of big data to shape a new urban design methodology. Our proposal celebrates the district’s character, uniting urban nature and local communities, by unlocking the potential of big data and AI technology to inform and qualify the design drivers for developing the district without losing its creative edge. Collaborating with Aalborg Universitet and Ramboll Management Consulting on the Ideas Competition for Refshaleøen, we gathered evidence from various sources, including big data, geo-social insights, biodiversity metrics, existing building stock, and calculations derived from our Urban Decarb tool. Our rich and multifaceted dataset included 35,000 Instagram posts posted on Refshaleøen between 2012 and 2023, over 300,000 Facebook posts, 150,000 events in Copenhagen, and engagement from 600,000 unique, anonymous Facebook users. Through this analysis, our Urban Impact team have identified a range of new design drivers to shape the future development of Refshaleøen. Delve into all the details and findings here https://hnglr.sn/3VxpKH4. Visuals generated from our insights using Midjourney to show what the proposed future could look like.

Chris has been part of the team for more than eight years, working as a director and team leader in Singapore. We sat down with him to reflect on the many achievements and learnings throughout his time at the studio. "The people culture at Henning Larsen is what had influenced me most — curiosity at all levels, the respect for each other, and design excellence. At the end of the day, successful projects are achieved by the people, by the team," says Chris. Find the full conversation here https://hnglr.sn/3xG6fD1. Images by Finbarr Fallon and Mandai Park Holdings.

We're top of the class! Nestled amongst the scenic woods of Kristiansand, Norway, Lauvåsen Secondary School merges with its natural surroundings, keeping people and nature at its core. Constructed out of glulam, the school's aim is to preserve existing vegetation and ecosystems through an abundance of native flora. The structure takes inspiration from the landscape, with its rooftop following the form of nearby hills that feature native greenery and stormwater management. Rain gardens and waterways lead the water through the schoolyard before it reaches the wetland and the stream. Our winning proposal will make room for 375 students, with an associated schoolyard, sports hall, and football field. Visuals by Vivid-Vision

In the heart of Oslo, Lilletorget 1 is set to redefine Vaterland with the transformation of the existing building, creating an impact that extends beyond its walls. At the intersection of three inner city districts, right at the most important public transport hub, the Vaterland area of Oslo will flourish anew through the transformation and extension of the building at Lilletorget 1 and the Vaterland Park, designed by Danish landscape architects SLA. Our design of Lilletorget 1 aims to contribute to the comprehensive development of the Vaterland area, where the building and park activities collaborate to support an inclusive, save and diverse urban space unlocking the area's inherent potential. Lilletorget 1 is designed to meet the city at eye level, with three lower floors welcoming everyone with public spaces and activities that establish an active city center. With a focus on street-level interaction with open facades, the design aims to create a seamless blend of office users, visitors, and neighborhood residents. Discover more about the project here https://hnglr.sn/3RzYc1v. Visuals by Vivid-Vision.

As part of the the pilot fellowship program by Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, the foundation has joined forces with ULI New York for an open-to-all event at the AIA New York | Center for Architecture. The event will celebrate the work of the 15 talented fellows, and also feature a panel discussion on "Decarbonization at Scale." I am so excited to see what the fellows come up with, and also to share the stage with Dan Brodkin, Chas Peppers, Saba Carmel Meidany, and David Benjamin, for the discussion. Our Henning Larsen New York team will also participate as one of the collaborators in the 2-week long fellowship, alongside Arup and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where we will be holding lectures, workshops and discussions with the fellows. Details for registration: https://lnkd.in/e_A_4qEn

There are many misconceptions when it comes to straw and reed in construction. That's why we sat down with Industrial PhD fellow and Architect, Magnus Reffs Kramhøft to challenge these falsehoods. Providing you with the facts and debunking myths about the ancient construction materials, we hope to inspire you to join us in rewriting the ending to the fable of "The Three Little Pigs". Read the full guide to designing with straw and reed here https://hnglr.sn/42qlHwe. Photos of Sundby School's thatched facade by Rasmus Hjortshøj.

Prior to development, Kampung Admiralty was an empty lot and car park between residential towers housing an elderly population, a marketplace, and a train station. Seeking to promote social interactions and well-being across an inter-generational community, the mixed-use development, designed by WOHA Architects, integrates landscape design to offer indoor and outdoor spaces for people to enjoy. Characterized by its terraced rooftops, Kampung Admiralty comprises a total of 1.2 acres of self-irrigating landscape with a total of 730 trees of 58 different species, over 80,000 shrubs of 66 different species, and an intricate hydrolic network. Utilizing the site’s terraced orientation, the system collects, cleanses, and stores stormwater to be reused as irrigation, allowing for more than 1 million gallons of tap water to be conserved each year. Other nature-based water retention features, including an eco-pond and a central raingarden, further support biodiversity. The project’s many facilities include a vibrant People’s Plaza with sheltered community spaces, a retail center, a medical center spread out across two floors, a tranquil community park that includes a senior care center, senior activity center, childcare center, and sky terrace, as well as studio apartments for seniors. Learn all about the project here https://hnglr.sn/45Dag7W. Images by Lim Wei Xiang.

Construction is underway for the new NEOMA Business School in northern France. Located west of the center of Reims, the new 26,000 m² business campus will accommodate 4700 students. The hybrid timber campus will transform the area of Port Colbert, a semi-abandoned former industrial site that used to house multiple city industries while preserving the identity of the district, its history, and its industrial heritage. As is often the case in centrally located former industrial areas, budding small businesses and local “pop-up” events can now be found populating Port Colbert. The new NEOMA campus is inspired by this entrepreneurial atmosphere that has changed the area from a geographical location to a place on people's minds. The school features 85 classrooms, three auditoriums, and an event space with a 750-seat auditorium and exterior access. The incorporation of wood and glass promotes a friendly atmosphere and floods the school interior with light. Read more about the project here https://hnglr.sn/42ICGvN. In collaboration with Patriarche. Augmented Architecture, Egis, Elioth, by Egis, ETAMINE, ACOUSTB, and Creafactory. Visuals by Vivid-Vision and Sora.

"Set to be one of North America’s biggest development sites, the project begs the question of whether such a large-scale project can truly meet the moment, in terms of what Toronto, and cities in general, need when social safety nets are fraying," writes Fast Company. Downsview today, is home to over 35,000 residents but is divided by roads, rail lines, and the former Downsview Airport/Bombardier Airbase. With the airbase ending its operations, the 520-acre site – roughly the same size as Toronto’s downtown – offers an immense opportunity for the rapidly growing city. Read the full feature of the Downsview Framework Plan in Fast Company below. The Downsview Framework Plan is done in collaboration with Northcrest Developments, Canada Lands Company / Société Immobilière du Canada, SLA, Urban Strategies Inc. and KPMB Architects.

Welcome to Jurong Lake Gardens. Exemplifying Singapore's vision as a ‘City in Nature’ and informed by extensive public engagement, the lakeside park restores the original natural environment, enhancing climate resilience and biodiversity while connecting people to local flora and fauna. Revitalizing the site’s original freshwater swamp forest, which was cleared with the area’s industrial development in the 1960s, Jurong Lake Gardens provides a home for recreation and community activities as well as a vibrant green lung amid a developing urban district. Informed by over 17,000 suggestions collected through an engagement process spanning several years, the design of the park and gardens mindfully invites the particular needs of diverse user groups, offering a canvas for a variety of recreation and community activities. The first national gardens in the heartlands of Singapore, the area has drawn millions of visitors annually since its opening in 2019. Curious to learn more? Read more here https://hnglr.sn/4e0KEFA. Photos by Finbarr Fallon