Global bioscience company Chr. Hansen recently announced their plans to invest in research & development facilities. It will extend the current headquarters to a new 38,000 m2 Innovation Campus. The proposal was designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects with a focus on nature, daylight and an intuitive functionality.

Close interaction with nature, plenty of daylight and an intuitive functionality are central elements of the architectural proposal behind Chr. Hansen’s new 15,000 m2 extension with PensionDanmark as an investor.

The proposal consists of an extension of the existing Hørsholm headquarters, which will accommodate up to 250 new researchers. The new buildings that contains a new main building, laboratories, meeting center and application center creates a future-proof center for innovation, knowledge sharing and customer support.

“Today, the headquarters are like solitary buildings scattered on the ground. The new buildings will be merged with the existing ones so that they together form a cohesive campus with an optimized flow. It will be an inspiring and vibrant place to work, ”says Anne Møller Sørensen, partner at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects and design manager on the proposal, developed in collaboration with COWI and 1: 1 Landscape.
Chr. Hansen designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects

A desire for nature and biodiversity

It has been crucial that the company’s identity, sustainable products and location should be reflected in the new architecture. The new campus will be energy-optimized and with durable, long-life materials.

Wood becomes a material throughout both construction and cladding, and in addition there are a number of bright atrium farms and forests where fire stacks, rainwater harvesting and insect hotels should create good conditions for biodiversity.

“The focus has always been on creating harmony between the existing buildings and the unique location. It is an exceptionally beautiful natural plot, where with reference to Chr. Hansen’s products have tried to create a presence for nature and smooth transitions between the outside and the inside, ”says Anne Møller Sørensen.
Chr. Hansen designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects

Travel towards even more sustainability

Earlier this year, Chr. Hansen has been named the world’s most sustainable company, and the new campus will secure the company’s research and development facilities and ensure a continued strong global position in the areas of food, dietary supplements and agriculture.

“It’s an incredibly exciting project for Chr. Hansen, which has grown steadily in recent years, ”says Søren Westh Lonning, CFO of Chr. Hansen.

“A modern, flexible workplace with state-of-the-art labs in inspiring environments will help us attract the talents we need to stay ahead and continue our journey towards sustainability. It will also help strengthen our long-term position as a leading bioscience company, ”he says.

The parties expect to take the first shovel in 2020 and that the entire construction will be completed by the end of 2022.