Crafting Cultural Landmarks

How Architecture and Materials Shape the Public Spaces We Cherish

Across Denmark, some of our most beloved public buildings share a quiet commonality: they are created by architects with courage and conviction, and they are brought to life by materials that stand the test of time. These spaces carry cultural meaning. They host our civic decisions, our shared stories, our learning, our art, our gatherings. They are built for the public, and ultimately belong to the public.

Among them are three landmarks where Hørning floors form part of the architectural narrative.

The City Hall of Aarhus

A Masterpiece of Danish Functionalism

Designed by Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller, Aarhus Rådhus is one of the most celebrated examples of Danish modernism. Its clarity, precision and honesty continue to inspire architects worldwide.

Inside, Hørning oak herringbone flooring, laid in a spectacular three-dimensional pattern, anchors the building with the warmth and integrity of traditional Danish craftsmanship. Installed as part of the original design vision, the floor remains a defining element of the building’s character – proof that when architects dare to think long-term, materials become part of history itself.

The Royal Danish Playhouse, Copenhagen

Where Modern Culture Meets Material Depth

Lundgaard & Tranberg’s Skuespilhuset is a cultural institution that feels both monumental and intimate. Positioned beside Copenhagen harbour, it draws thousands of visitors each year into its sculpted timber-clad spaces.

Here, industrial parquet in solid ash from Hørning adds depth and softness to the public areas. The floors invite movement, conversation and pause. They absorb the rhythm of theatre-goers and tie the building’s elemental palette together. This is modern architecture at its most human – refined, precise and deeply rooted in material honesty.

The Auditorium, Universitetsbyen Aarhus

A Circular Space for Shared Knowledge

AART’s auditorium in Universitetsbyen stands as a new focal point on the Aarhus campus. Its circular form in glass and aluminium expresses openness and unity, gathering students and researchers into one shared learning environment.

The floor – solid certified oak parquet from Hørning – follows the geometry of the room, grounding the space with warmth and acoustic comfort. In a building dedicated to knowledge, the choice of natural materials reminds us that innovation and tradition coexist beautifully when guided by thoughtful design.

A Tribute to Architectural Bravery

Public buildings endure. They are built for decades of use, for countless footsteps, for changing generations and cultural shifts. Designing them requires courage: the courage to imagine spaces that shape society, and the courage to choose materials that will age with dignity.

We are honoured that architects trust our solid wood floors in spaces of such cultural importance. But more than anything, we celebrate their bravery:

• the bravery to build ambitiously,
• to create spaces people love and feel connected to,
• to let craftsmanship stand alongside contemporary form,
• and to design buildings meant to last.

At their best, public buildings become part of our collective memory. And when crafted with care, from architectural idea to material selection, they become places where culture, community and craftsmanship meet. At Hørning, we love to help create just that.