Crafts College

Client: Fonden for Håndværkskollegier (Foundation for Crafts Colleges)
Sponsor: BRF Foundation
Landscape Architect: Kristine Jensen Landscape
Landscape Architect: Henning Larsen Architects
Engineer: Artelia A/S
Constractor: CC Contractor

Sustainable building design through passive measures

The building is designed with large building depths, thereby reducing heat loss through facades, while the large roof overhangs and suspended balconies provide effective solar shading to prevent overheating. The structure is oriented to maximise solar gain and daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. High, operable windows maximise natural light and support natural ventilation through a chimney effect, minimising need for mechanic ventilation and maintaining high indoor air quality and temperature stability, enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing. Robust thermal mass in exposed brick and concrete moderate diurnal temperature swings, while effectively insulated, large climate screen minimises cold bridges and reduces heat loss.

Efficient construction and operations

Designed as a living textbook of functional and responsible craftmanship, the project prioritises natural, low-impact, durable materials: certified timber, slate, and recycled bricks, sourced with minimal environmental impact. Timber acts as carbon sink while recycled bricks reduce demand for virgin materials, lowering embodied carbon. Hydraulic lime mortar enables future disassembly and reuse. Waste is minimised through integrated design, e.g. prefabrication. Unpainted surfaces and built-in-furniture minimise need for maintenance and future waste production. Solar panels, passive systems like thermal mass and high-quality insulation reduce operational energy, complementing high-efficiency systems for heating, ventilation and water saving.

Landscape & Biodiversity Integration

The project transforms fallow urban meadow into biodiversity-rich urban landscape, connecting adjacent nature- and park area, post intervention. Native vegetation is prioritised to improve microclimate and biodiversity: tall grasses, water-resistant trees, and flowering herbs in outer landscape. The inner courtyard features more curated landscape: cherry dogwood, dawn redwood, burnet rose, and hawthorn. Species are chosen which only require natural watering and can withstand the high average precipitation. Rainwater harvesting and open basins create microhabitats that supports wildlife. Diverse plant species and wind-protected spaces restore ecological balance, fostering a resilient and accessible urban ecosystem.

Land use & Transformation

Herning sits one moraine hill with gravel, clay, and nutrient-poor soil. Located on urban fringe, the existing site consist mainly of fallow meadow with high groundwater levels. Frequent flooding limits accessibility to adjacent nature- and park area. The intervention introduces wooden boardwalks, enabling passage, to urban and recreational areas, while allowing natural flooding to persist. Respecting local land-use patterns, the project blends educational and residential functions with green spaces, integrating built and natural environments. With 41% built-up area, it provides housing for young artisans, workshop, and communal areas. Its flexible design ensures adaptability, evolving with occupants’ needs over time.

Participatory Design

The project is conceived as a living lab for sustainable construction where students are involved in design and building, ensuring that the future generation of craftsmen gain hands-on knowledge of traditional and innovative building methods. Teachers, students, and stakeholders collaborate closely, creating a culture of participation, co-creation, and shared responsibility. The educational approach integrates real-life construction processes into the curriculum, aligning vocational training with societal needs.

Community Impact and Resilience

The Crafts College serves as an educational hub and cultural catalyst in Herning, fostering pride in local heritage while promoting innovation. By reusing materials and applying circular strategies, the project raises awareness of resource efficiency and resilience within the community. The college provides public workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, strengthening ties between students, professionals, and citizens, and cultivating a sense of belonging and shared identity.

Financial Feasibility

The project demonstrates how sustainable construction can be economically feasible through careful planning and resource management. Recycled and locally sourced materials reduce procurement and transport costs. Energy efficiency and passive design measures lower operational expenses. The building’s design extends lifespan and minimises maintenance, ensuring long-term cost savings. Integration of educational, residential, and cultural functions increases utilisation rates, maximising the return on investment and supporting the local economy.

Aesthetic Qualities and Cultural Integration

The architecture embraces a simple, honest, and robust expression that reflects the values of craftsmanship and sustainability. Materials are celebrated in their natural state — timber, brick, slate, and concrete are left exposed, showcasing their tactile qualities and durability. The design balances functional clarity with spatial richness, offering varied learning environments, from workshops and classrooms to communal and outdoor spaces. The composition of volumes and courtyards creates a strong identity, while connecting harmoniously to the surrounding landscape.

Artistic and cultural integration is fostered through collaboration with local artists and craftsmen who contribute to the design and detailing of building elements. This ensures that the college becomes not only a place of education but also a cultural landmark, rooted in its context and representative of Denmark’s tradition of high-quality, sustainable architecture.