DATA SHEET
Client: Skanderborg Parish
Architecture: Henning Larsen & Espen Surnevik
Landscape architecture: Schul Landskab & Planlægning
Engineering: Ramboll
Photos: Rasmus Hjortshøj
This marks the first time in five hundred years that a church has been built in Skanderborg. The architects responded to this unique opportunity with an approach that redefines the relationship between architecture and spirituality, sensitive to the evolution of contemporary society. The design primarily leverages light to create a serene environment, as Eva Ravnborg, Director, explains: «Light was a central design driver for us.
It’s more than a physical element — it brings a calm, almost spiritual quality to the space». In this new church, the traditional concept of penance – which often influenced the design of places of worship in the past – gives way to an inclusive welcome, where moments of joy and sorrow can be experienced both communally and individually.
This openness translates into a democratic and flexible spatial arrangement, with the baptismal font being the only fixed element. The facades themselves, devoid of ornamentation or formal classifications, reflect a deliberate choice to avoid monumentalization, instead embracing a design philosophy that views the church as a home for everyone. The church space is conceived as an inclusive venue for gathering and socializing, as well as for prayer and reflection.
People are central to this design, which is intended to host not only religious services but also cultural events and informal meetings. The choice of materials – brick, oak, and brass – contributes to a warm and inviting atmosphere. Clean, linear, and luminous, the space encourages both quiet contemplation and social interaction. «A place of worship is a civic anchor», explains Greta Tiedje, Global Design Director at Henning Larsen. «We designed it to be part of the everyday, a space where people can gather across generations and beliefs and find meaning through shared experience. That’s where real life happens». This philosophy also informed the decision to incorporate large glass surfaces, establishing an osmotic relationship with the community and the surrounding greenery.
