The Crafts College/
Cubo Arkitekter
Danø Arkitektur
Project Details
Location(City/Country):
Horsens / Denmark
Tipology:
Educational
Year (Design/Construction):
- / 2024
Area (Net/Gross):
6000 m2 / -
Operational Carbon emissions (B6) kgCO2e/m2/y:
-
Embodied Carbon emissions (A1-A3) kgCO2e/m2:
-- The building prioritises locally sourced Douglas fir and recycled bricks, significantly reducing transportation emissions and promoting circular economy principles.
- Durable natural materials, such as oak and fir, ensure longevity with minimal maintenance, reducing resource consumption over time and enhancing the building’s sustainability.
- The use of robust, thermally efficient materials and thoughtful architectural design optimises indoor climate control, reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
- By integrating traditional Scandinavian craftsmanship with modern sustainable techniques, the project promotes high-quality, repairable, and adaptable construction, extending the building’s lifecycle.
The new Crafts College in Horsens is designed to serve as a living and inspiring catalogue of exemplary solutions in craftsmanship, architecture, and materials. It is the first of its kind in Denmark.
With its architecture and material selection, Håndværkskollegiet presents a welcoming and inviting appearance, both from a distance and up close. It is a robust and long-lasting building complex that will gracefully age over the years. Carefully selected, honest, natural, and often traditional building materials have been used, chosen for their architectural properties and beautiful textures, ensuring longevity and a charming, warm, and dignified aging process.
The design process has focused on achieving the perfect balance between functionality, durability, and aesthetics, where one aspect does not exclude the others but instead shapes and guides the project in the right direction. An informal atmosphere is conveyed through the simplicity and robustness of the materials. These are solid materials, yet unpretentious choices aimed at providing users with an aesthetic and functional architectural experience.
The materials are grounded in a Nordic palette. Douglas fir from local forests is used for constructions, and a reddish recycled brick is used for the exterior facade. Oak is utilized for fittings, fixtures, windows, and floors. Significant effort has been invested in finding the most sustainable solutions and using materials where they are most appropriate in terms of durability and functionality.
Classical materials and craftsmanship methods are beautifully integrated with modern architecture, combining a tangible texture and atmosphere. This approach draws on traditional craft techniques while also embracing new and innovative solutions, contributing to the future shaping of Scandinavian craftsmanship.
The Crafts College is certified DGNB Gold and DGNB Diamond. DGNB Gold is awarded to buildings that take significant environmental, social, and economic sustainability considerations into account. DGNB Diamond is a tool for evaluating the overall architectural vision and creating a shared language for the building’s central architectural elements and qualities — all within a sustainability perspective. DGNB Diamond has only been awarded a few times in Denmark.
In December 2024, The Crafts College received the award for ‘Building of the Year 2024’.
- Architect Staff: Sune Kornbeck Nielsen, Jesper Danø, Morten Birk Nielsen, Peter Eg, Tue Thomsen, Sarah Wulff, Victor Bøgebjerg Josefsen, Peter Dalsgaard, Asta Kathrine Gadegaard
- Landscape Architect: Schønherr
- Engineer: Tri-Consult
- Client: BRFfonden
- Photography: Frame & Work. Helene Høyer Mikkelsen. Cubo Arkitekter
