3xn architects

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.