3XN

”The most exciting stories are the ones which describe what is actually happening in the buildings. The art of architecture is to build a sculpture around the patterns of movement and the synergies that arise between people.“

Text: Kim Herforth Nielsen

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 studio quickly became known for two things: their preference for social and humane architecture, and projects demanding a high level of detail and employing workmanship of the highest quality.

International Breakthrough

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 made a name on the international architectural scene for the artistically ambitious Danish architects with their social approach and carefully planned spatial formations.

The Muziekgebouw, completed 2005, together with Museum of Liverpool (2004-) and Kubus in Berlin (first prize 2007), shows the expertise on culture buildings and prestigious international proyects, with emphasis on original solutions in plans, facades and organisation of the interiors.

Architecture shapes behaviour

The revolutionary design of Danish upper secondary school Ørestad College (2004-2007), together with a number of original corporate headquarters designs such as FIH, Deloitte, Saxo Bank, Horten and KPMG, show that 3XN, through daring concepts and design create architecture that contributes positively to learning and working environments.

These innovations are also reflected in 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

the critic of the Danish daily Politiken found so original as to warrant a comparison to Jørn Utzon’s opera house in Sydney.

GXN – G for green

In 2007 3XN established GXN; a Research & Development department working with digital tools, new materials and green technologies in order to ensure the studio’s leading position within building sector innovation.

3XN today

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.

Architecture shapes 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.

Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award, Middelfart Sparekasse, Middelfart, DK 2011

RIBA European Award 2011, Middelfart Sparekasse, Middelfart, DK 2011

Scottish Design Awards 2010, Engineering Design, Museum of Liverpool, UK 2010

IIDA Global Excellence Awards 2010, Honorable Mention, Middelfart Savings Bank, DK 2010

Building Prize 2010, Tangen Polytechnic, NO 2010

JEC Innovation Award 2010- Environment & Recycling, Louisiana Pavilion, DK 2010

IDA Award 2009- New Commercial Building- Third Prize, Horten, DK 2009

RIBA International Award 2009, Saxo Bank, DK 2009

JEC Innovation Award 2009- Building & Construction, Horten, DK 2009

Nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2009, Ørestad College, DK 2009

Kim Herforth Nielsen receives the C. F. Hansen Medal 2009, DK 2009

Prime Property Awards 2008- Sustainable Real Estate Investment- Second Prize, Alsion, DK 2008

Forum AID Award 2008, Ørestad College, DK 2008

IDA Award 2008, Best Urban Design, Museum of Liverpool, UK 2008

RIBA European Award 2007, Alsion, DK 2007

Nederlandse Bouwprijs 2006, Muziekgebouw, NL 2006

LEAF Award 2006, Muziekgebouw, NL 2006

Dedalo-Minosse Special Prize 2006, Muziekgebouw, NL 2006

Miami + Beach Bienal 2006- Silver Medal, Museum of Liverpool, UK 2006

MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2006, Nordhavnen Residences, DK 2006

MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2006, Middelfart Savings Bank, DK 2006

RIBA Award 2005, Sampension, DK 2005

International Olympic Committee IOC/IAKS Award 2005, DGI Urban Sports Centre, DK 2005

MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Projects Award 2004, City for All Ages, DK 2004

Municipality of Kolding Architectural Award 2004, Dalby Public School, DK 2004

Municipality of Kolding Architectural Award 2004, Kirsebærhaven, DK 2004

Municipality of Roskilde Architectural Grant 2003, The Philosophers’ Park Student Village, DK 2003

Municipality of Randers Architectural Award 2003, Kronjylland Savings Bank, DK 2003

Nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2003, FIH Domicile, DK 2003

Municipality of Copenhagen Architectural Award 2002, FIH Domicile, DK 2002

Municipality of Slagelse Architectural Award 2002, Care Centre, DK 2002

Kim Herforth Nielsen receives the Knight’s Cross 2000, DK 2000

Municipality of Aalborg Architectural Award 1998, Aalborg Polytechnic, DK 1998

Municipality of Odense Architectural Award 1998, Dalum Polytechnic, DK 1998

Kim Herforth Nielsen receives the Eckersberg Medaille 1998, DK 1998

Municipality of Århus Architectural Award 1997, Ramboll Headquarters, DK 1997

The Concrete Element Award 1992, Holstebro Court Building, DK 1992

Esbjerg City Fund Architectural Award, Villa Nielsen, DK 1991

Municipality of Århus Architectural Award, Villa Fire, DK 1989

Municipality of Odense Architectural Award, Blangstedgaard, DK 1988



Denmark Updated, Essen, DE 2010

12. Biennale Architettura, The Danish Pavilion, Venice, IT 2010

Mind Your Behaviour, Aedes, Berlin, DE (solo) 2010

Mind Your Behaviour, DAC, Copenhagen, DK (solo) 2010

It’s a Small World, Copenhagen, DK (tour: Shanghai EXPO 2010, CN, Curitiba, BR, Santiago, CL) 2009-2010

ShowHow, Copenhagen, DK (tour: London, UK) 2009

Green Architecture for the Future, Louisiana, Humlebæk, DK 2009

11. Biennale Architettura, The Danish Pavilion, Venice, IT 2008

Architecture is a conversation that never ends, Paris, FR (solo) 2008

Building Sustainable Communities, DAC, Copenhagen, DK (tour: UAE, SE, DE, PL, CN, RU, LV) 2008-2010

Sust-DANE-able, London, UK 2008

Architecture and Design Today, ETH Universität Zurich, CH 2007

Architecture made in Denmark, DAZ, Berlin, DE 2006

Young Younger Youngest, Aarhus, DK (tour: Rome, IT, Stockholm, SE) 2005-2006

Culture led Regeneration, CUBE, Manchester, UK 2005

Danish Architects in China, The Danish Cultural Institute, Beijing, CN 2005

Danish Architects in the UK, The Royal Danish Embassy, London, UK 2005

9. Biennale di Architettura, Arsenale, Venice, IT 2004

Contemporary Danish Architecture, i+i, Delft, NL 2003-2004

Danish Architecture, Beijing, CN 2002

Arne Jacobsen Inspirations, Louisiana, Humlebæk, DK 2002

BLUE STAGE, House of World Cultures, Berlin, DE 2001

The Danish Wave (tour: CN, JP, TW, AR) 2000-2001

Panorama des Capitales Européennes, Pavillon d’Arsenal, Paris, FR 2000

Botschaften und Landesvertretungen in Berlin, DAZ, Berlin, DE 2000

4. Biennal Internacional de Arquitetura, Sao Paolo, BR 1999

Denmark meets Australia II (tour: main cities, AU) 1999

Copenhagen – Concepts of Continuity (tour: RU, PL, DE) 1998-1999

Scandinavian Architecture, Chicago Athenaeum, Chicago, US 1996

5. Biennale Architettura, Arsenale, Venice, IT 1996