Fjordenhus

Vejle, Denmark 2009–18
Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann with Studio Olafur Eliasson
This project was initiated before the founding of Studio Other Spaces.

Rising out of the water, Fjordenhus (Fjord house) forges a striking new connection between Vejle Fjord and the city centre of Vejle. The building honours its unique setting in a radical way. It is placed directly in the water, aiming to create the most immediate relation between a building and its environment.

The Artworks

The Furniture

The basic form of KIRK KAPITAL’s headquarters was inspired by the harbour’s surrounding architecture. Formed by four intersecting cylinders, rounded negative volumes have been carved from its facades of custom-glazed brick to create an architectural statement of complex curved, circular, and elliptical forms, torqueing walls, and parabolic arches. The outer walls, which are normally seen as a membrane between inside and outside, are spaces in Fjordenhus – you are offered the opportunity to be both inside and outside.

The various spaces throughout Fjordenhus contain unique artworks by artist Olafur Eliasson. These installations span the publically-accessible water spaces and ground floor of Fjordenhus, as well as the upper floors, occupied by the offices of KIRK KAPITAL. These pieces, enmeshed with the architecture, further the synthesis of water and light in Fjordenhus, a total work of art. The office spaces feature several custom-made furniture pieces and lamps designed by Olafur Eliasson and Studio Olafur Eliasson.

The building is part of the master plan for Vejle Harbour and has been developed in response to a concept by Vejle Municipality. The development comprises the new harbour island, buildings for housing and commercial use, a new marina, and Fjordenhus itself.

As the lead designers, Studio Olafur Eliasson worked in collaboration with local Danish architects Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter and Vogt Landscape Architects. The completion of Fjordenhus marks the shift of Studio Olafur Eliasson’s major architectural activities to a new international office for art and architecture, Studio Other Spaces.

Client: KIRK KAPITAL A/S
Location: Vejle, Denmark
Date: 2009–18
Collaborators: Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, Vogt Landscape Architects