Modernizing Vejle, a small town in Denmark, to my mind, is an example of citizens' creativity and courage. In this town, you can see and admire the pieces of art nearly everywhere: whether it is a historical monument, whether a modern installation or an urban design element. 

This can be related not only to public places or private estates. In Vejle, even some of the office residencies are built in concordance with original design projects. Moreover, such constructions are not only showing the prestige of the company but also become the works of architectural art.

One of the buildings proving this idea is Fjordenhus. This project was developed and realized by Danish-Icelandic painter Olafur Eliasson and architect Sebastian Behmann with the partnership of Berlin Eliasson’s studio in 2018. 

This marvelous building, at the same time, resembling medieval castle and landed spaceship, was constructed as a new headquarter of an investment company Kirk Kapital.

This is incredible, but it is an office and a business residence, which can be visited with the permission of the owners. The excursions are allowed for tourists.

During the excursion, you can find out how this masterpiece of architecture was built and what were the painter main ideas concerning the design.

The base of a building is four large cylinders of brick that are set in the water. The façade has gaps and arches. Entering the building is possible only by a bridge. The design conception is a combination of solids and empty spaces. Carved rounded forms and arches not only make a suitable atmosphere but are a part of the interior. Curved gaps and windows make a view on a fjord shore and a harbor, and two rooms on the 1st floor are inundated. Thus, the architecture and art of this space have a close connection with the marine idea. Light, water, and wind interact with each other and create a unique atmosphere, fighting and filling up.

The façade is stoned with 970 000 bricks – 15 shades of unglazed material and 3 shades of glazed in blue, green, silver color.  The team of Studio Olafur Eliasson did not just build the space but also made all the office equipment and lightning.