WE Architecture

WE Architecture is a young innovative architecture office based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Our capabilities include architecture, urban strategies, tangible design and utopian ideas. WE architecture was founded in 2009 by Marc Jay and Julie Schmidt-Nielsen. The name WE Architecture stands for community; both in the design of our architecture, how we create it and the framework within we create it.

Community is a focal point for the company’s ethos that characterizes our professional discussions, our creative processes and our design of the architecture. We believe in a society based on open communities and social connections. We believe in a bottom-up sustainability where everyone helps to pull together for a greener, cleaner and more sustainable planet. We develop projects through open processes where the architecture is not created by one architect, but is a result of close cooperation between all parties involved. Our goal is an architecture that brings people together and link communities.

WE architecture has in its (short) lifetime been focusing on how architecture can be an active element of social ties across generations, abilities and social layers. How can our physical architectural framework, be designed to create platforms for meetings, interaction and open communities. How can the placement of the building volumes create cohesion. Why or how can galleries in a public housing project be more integrating than wells. How to develop courtyards and communal gardens in a settlement so it brings residents together.

Can different typologies create relationships between generations. How can green public gardens bond home and homeless. How can flexible housing units integrate refugees and inhabitants. How can public exhibition gardens break down the barrier between the private person and the public device. How can transparency and fluid transitions between inside and outside provide a framework for meetings. How can niches in hallways help people to choose community. - How can architecture create an “us” - how to create a “WE architecture”. Our core values shape our discussions and processes, it manifests itself in our sketching and materializes in our architecture.

Marc Jay is a graduate of the the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Prior to founding WE Architecture, Marc lived, studied and worked in Spain for 4 years. In 2006, after having moved back to Denmark, Marc joined the office BIG as a member of the daily management group, where he worked until establishing his own firm in 2009. As one of the creative managers of WE Architecture, Marc is involved in all the project development of the office, ranging from interior design and architecture to urban and strategic planning.

Julie Schmidt Nielsen accomplished her degree in 2007 at the School of Architecture in Århus, Denmark. Before starting WE architecture, Julie has been working as architect in SOM ( Skidmore Owen and Merril, USA) and BIG (DK). She has been working as projectleader on projects of many different scales, from skyscrapers in New York to small refurblishments in Copenhagen. On the sideline Julie both teaches, makes workshops, and does lectures at universities in both Denmark and abroad. Mainly on the architecture school of Aarhus, Denmark.