The MIPIM Award-winning Crafts College in Horsens is designed to serve as a living and inspiring catalogue of exemplary solutions in craftsmanship, architecture, and materials. It is the first of its kind in Denmark.
With its architecture and material selection, Håndværkskollegiet presents a welcoming and inviting appearance, both from a distance and up close. It is a robust and long-lasting building complex that will gracefully age over the years. Carefully selected, honest, natural, and often traditional building materials have been used, chosen for their architectural properties and beautiful textures, ensuring longevity and a charming, warm, and dignified aging process.
The design process has focused on achieving the perfect balance between functionality, durability, and aesthetics, where one aspect does not exclude the others but instead shapes and guides the project in the right direction. An informal atmosphere is conveyed through the simplicity and robustness of the materials. These are solid materials, yet unpretentious choices aimed at providing users with an aesthetic and functional architectural experience.
The materials are grounded in a Nordic palette. Douglas fir from local forests is used for constructions, and a reddish recycled brick is used for the exterior facade. Oak is utilized for fittings, fixtures, windows, and floors. Significant effort has been invested in finding the most sustainable solutions and using materials where they are most appropriate in terms of durability and functionality.
Classical materials and craftsmanship methods are beautifully integrated with modern architecture, combining a tangible texture and atmosphere. This approach draws on traditional craft techniques while also embracing new and innovative solutions, contributing to the future shaping of Scandinavian craftsmanship.
The college is certified DGNB Gold and DGNB Diamond. DGNB Gold is awarded to buildings that place significant emphasis on environmental, social, and economic sustainability, while DGNB Diamond serves as a tool for evaluating the overall architectural vision and creating a shared language for the building’s key architectural elements and qualities - all from a sustainability perspective. DGNB Diamond has only been awarded a few times in Denmark.
Håndværkskollegiet has won the MIPIM Awards 2025 in the category 'Best Cultural, Sports & Education Project'.
In December 2024, the college was awarded 'Building of the Year 2024'.
