Completed in 2018, Fjordenhus rises directly from the harbor waters of Vejle on Denmark’s eastern coast. Designed by artist Olafur Eliasson together with architect Sebastian Behmann and Studio Olafur Eliasson, the building serves as the headquarters for investment firm Kirk Kapital. Its sculptural form and unconventional construction bridge the worlds of art and architecture.
“Fjordenhus was an exciting opportunity to synthesize years of research into urban space, light conditions, nature, bodily movement, and sensory experience—bringing together artistic and architectural visions in a single project.”
Accessible only by a footbridge, Fjordenhus consists of four interlocking cylinders, each 28 meters high. From these rounded volumes, elliptical voids have been carved to form floor-spanning windows and dramatic spatial sequences. The result is a building in constant dialogue with its surroundings—its glazed openings reflecting the fjord waters, just as the water mirrors the building in return.
Built entirely of custom-made bricks in varied hues, the structure appears in motion, as if shaped by the sea itself. Circular and elliptical apertures pierce the façade, their forms echoed in the interiors and furnishings. The project’s commitment to natural materials and environmental resonance is felt in every detail, from the light reflections to the quality of the air and acoustics.
A Public Base, a Private Peak
The lowest two floors of the building are open to the public and partially submerged, allowing the tides of the Vejle Fjord to flow through them. The upper floors house the company’s executive spaces and the Michelin-starred restaurant Lyst. Eliasson’s holistic approach extends to the interiors, which feature no right angles and include custom furniture, built-ins, and art installations that explore natural elements and tidal cycles.
Fjordenhus is more than a building—it is an inhabitable artwork. Its every curve, surface, and aperture speak to the studio’s exploration of perception, presence, and nature as lived experience.
Bronze Hardware with a Living Surface: The architectural vision extends to the choice of hardware. The model FSB 1045—a redesign by Johannes Potente based on a 1930s original—was selected for its blend of geometric clarity and tactile warmth. Its interplay of circle and rectangle harmonizes with the building’s language of fluid forms.
Crafted in bronze, the handles develop a patina over time—a natural response to the building’s marine environment. Outdoors, the salt air accelerates oxidation, lending each handle a unique and evolving character. In both form and finish, the FSB 1045 model becomes a quiet companion to the expressive architecture of Fjordenhus.
