Iconic Danish architect Henning Larsen died in his sleep in his home in Copenhagen on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Henning Larsen was 87 years old.

His firm Henning Larsen Architects issued following statement:

In 1959, Henning Larsen founded his own architecture studio, and he was active for more than 50 years. Henning Larsen’s life work counts a number of significant building works in Denmark and abroad. He was often described as a “master of the light”. From 1968 to 1995, he was a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen.

↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, 1984)

Henning Larsen’s significance for architecture goes far beyond his own projects. He has inspired generations of Danish and international architects with initiatives such as the architectural journal Skala, which he published for more than 10 years. His unique approach to architecture, combining a sharp artistic and analytical eye, allowed him to ask the exact question that grasped the opportunities of a given project. His tool was space and daylight.

↑ Malmö City Library (Sweden, 1997)

Henning Larsen has received a number of awards and recognitions. Most recently, His Royal Highness the Prince Consort of Denmark's Europe Nostra Award 2013 and in 2012 what is often referred to as the Nobel Prize of art, the Praemium Imperiale. In 2001, he established the Henning Larsen Foundation with the objective of promoting and disseminating architecture in its broad sense.

↑ Enghøj Church (Denmark, 1994, Photo: Martin Schubert)

Henning looked upon the world as a palette of professional, artistic challenges and thus he was also one of few architects in his generation who actually worked in the entire world. Throughout his work as an architect, he managed to attract talented architects from all over the world. After their time working in his studio, they went home as ambassadors for Danish architecture.

↑ Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (Denmark, 1996, Photo: Jens Lindhe)

Among Henning Larsen’s most important works abroad, you find the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, 1984), The Danish Embassy in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, 1987) and Malmö City Library (Sweden, 1997). In Denmark, his most essential works include Copenhagen Business School Dalgas Have (1989), Enghøj Church (1994), Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (1996) and the Royal Danish Opera (2004).

↑ Royal Danish Opera (Denmark, 2004, Photo: Adam Moerk)

Henning Larsen’s influence on architecture has been grand. He created a culture in the company that is driven by professional ambition and a desire to work with projects where architecture can make a difference. This is a heritage that we will carry with us.

The funeral will take place in silence.

The Group of Partners, Henning Larsen Architects

Instead of flowers, you are kindly asked to provide a donation to the Henning Larsen Foundation, registration no.: 3946 / account no.: 3946347108 or IBan nr. DK9230003946347108 / SWIFT: DABADKKK. The purpose of the foundation is to promote and disseminate architecture in a broad sense, and each year on the founder's birthday on 20 August, one or more grants are awarded.

Previously on Archinect: Henning Larsen Named 2012 Praemium Imperiale Laureate for Architecture