3XN Architects 
Total Projects from 3XN Architects: 9
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 Kubus 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 College (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.
In 2001, Kim Christiansen joined the management team as CEO, and in 2003, Bo Boje Larsen, previously with Henning Larsen Architects, came on board as managing director responsible for strategy and organisation and as head of the soon rapidly growing office in Copenhagen. In 2007, three young architects became partners, Jan Ammundsen, who heads the Competition Department in Copenhagen, and Michael Kruse and Tommy Bruun, who head the Competition Department in Aarhus. In 2009 Bo Boje Larsen assumed the position of CEO.
In 2007 3XN established 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.
Organisation
3XN became a limited liability company in 1995. The firm comprises of two offices with a staff of 80 – one in Kystvejen in Aarhus, and one in Strandgade in Copenhagen. We work, however, as one practice continuously interchanging ideas and staff between the two offices. We operate in a project-oriented network structure, and at every stage we team up in workshops with partners, experts, users etc. At the workshop we discuss the results of our research, develop the concept and a 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 five 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 at 3XN Copenhagen. Michael Kruse, MAA, and Tommy Bruun, MAA, head up the Competition Department at 3XN Aarhus.
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 Kubus 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 College (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.
In 2001, Kim Christiansen joined the management team as CEO, and in 2003, Bo Boje Larsen, previously with Henning Larsen Architects, came on board as managing director responsible for strategy and organisation and as head of the soon rapidly growing office in Copenhagen. In 2007, three young architects became partners, Jan Ammundsen, who heads the Competition Department in Copenhagen, and Michael Kruse and Tommy Bruun, who head the Competition Department in Aarhus. In 2009 Bo Boje Larsen assumed the position of CEO.
In 2007 3XN established 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.
Organisation
3XN became a limited liability company in 1995. The firm comprises of two offices with a staff of 80 – one in Kystvejen in Aarhus, and one in Strandgade in Copenhagen. We work, however, as one practice continuously interchanging ideas and staff between the two offices. We operate in a project-oriented network structure, and at every stage we team up in workshops with partners, experts, users etc. At the workshop we discuss the results of our research, develop the concept and a 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 five 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 at 3XN Copenhagen. Michael Kruse, MAA, and Tommy Bruun, MAA, head up the Competition Department at 3XN Aarhus.
website: www.3xn.dk
Featured Projects
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Bella Sky
Address: Center Boulevard 5 , COPENHAGEN - Denmark Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Hotels |
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FIH Domicile
Address: Langelinie Allé 43 , COPENHAGEN - Denmark Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Office |
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Middelfart Savings Bank
Address: Havnegade 21 , MIDDELFART - Denmark Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Office |
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Museum of Liverpool
Address: Pier Head , LIVERPOOL - United Kingdom Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Museums |
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Music Building
Address: Piet Heinkade 1 , AMSTERDAM - Netherlands Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Cultural |
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Orestad College
Address: Ørestads Boulevard 75 , COPENHAGEN - Denmark Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Education |
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Sampension
Address: Tuborg Havnevej 14, Hellerup , COPENHAGEN - Denmark Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Office |
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Saxo Bank Headquarters
Address: Philip Heymans Allé 15, 2900 Hellerup , COPENHAGEN - Denmark Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Office |
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Tivoli Concert Hall
Address: Vesterbrogade 3 , COPENHAGEN - Denmark Architect: 3XN Architects Category: Cultural |
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