Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) is an international architectural firm founded by a group of Danish architects in 1986 in Aarhus, Denmark. It currently has three offices in Copenhagen and Aarhus in Denmark, as well as Shanghai, China. In 2018, Schmidt Hammer Lassen became part of global architecture and design firm Perkins and Will.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL)
Practice information
PartnersKristian Ahlmark
Chris Hardie
Elif Tinaztepe
Kasper Frandsen
Mads Kaltoft
René Nedergaard
Sanne Wall-Gremstrup
Founded1986 (1986)
LocationCopenhagen, Denmark
Aarhus, Denmark
Shanghai, China

Notable projects include the national library of Denmark The Royal Library (Det Kgl. Bibliotek) in Copenhagen, the ARoS Kunstmuseum in Aarhus, DOKK1, the largest public library in Scandinavia and named by IFLA International Federation of Library Associations as Public Library of the Year in 2016, and Shanghai Library East, one of China's largest new library's which opened in September 2022. The studio is currently designing the tallest residential high-rise constructed primarily in timber, known as Rocket & Tigerli in Winterthur, Switzerland, and a new Opera House and Performing Arts venue, known as Green Heart Grand Theatre, in Beijing, China.

History

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Katuaq Culture Centre in Nuuk, Greenland
 
Halmstad Library
 
Halmstad Library
 
The Crystal in the Vesterbro district in Copenhagen

Schmidt Hammer Lassen was established in 1986 by Morten Schmidt, Bjarne Hammer and John F. Lassen.

 
International Criminal Court in The Hague

The current group of partners includes CEO Sanne Wall-Gremstrup, Kristian Lars Ahlmark, Elif Tinaztepe, Kasper Heiberg Frandsen, Mads Kaltoft, René Nedergaard, and Chris Hardie.

The practice had its first major project with the Katuaq Culture Centre in Nuuk, Greenland, completed in 1997. The project in Nuuk was followed by first prize in the international competition for the extension of the Danish Royal Library on the harbourfront in Copenhagen. The library extension, also known as the Black Diamond, was completed in 1999.

Another major project is the ARoS Art Museum in Aarhus, Denmark, which was completed in 2004. In May 2011, the art work Your rainbow panorama, by Olafur Eliasson, was officially unveiled on the roof top of the museum.

In 2010, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects won the competition to design the first permanent premises for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands. The project was completed in 2015.

In 2011, Schmidt Hammer Lassen established a studio in Shanghai, to serve their increasing client base in Asia. Completed projects include the Ningbo New Library in Ningbo, China (2019), China's largest new library Shanghai Library East, (2023), the West Bund Dome Art Center (2024) and the world's largest waste-to-energy power plant called the Shenzhen Energy Ring (2024).

Product design

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The current product range includes light fixtures for Philips Lighting, Lampas and Focus, indoor furniture Piiroinen and DJOB Montana, outdoor street furniture for Veksoe. Designs include the Flakes chair, the Focus Lighting, Idea Water Fixtures and the Swan Neck. The design department also creates unique pieces such as the sculptural receptions desk at Danfoss.

Selected works

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Awards

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  • 1997 Nykredit Architecture Prize
  • 2007 MIPIM AR Future Projects Award ('residential' category) for Skytthusbugten[1]
  • 2008 LEAF Award, Grand Prix for Performers House
  • 2008 MIPIM AR Future Projects Award ('office' category) for Amazon Court
  • 2009 Construction and Investment Journal Award ('Best Office Development') for Amazon Court[2]
  • 2009 MIPIM AR Future Projects Award ('mixed use' category) for Holbæk Harbour Masterplan
  • 2011 New London Award ('learning' category) for City of Westminster College[3]
  • 2011 LEAF Award ('structural design' category) for The Crystal[4]
  • 2011 Aarhus Municipality Award for Villa Busk/ Vibevej 27, Denmark
  • 2011 The Concrete Society Awards, shortlisted for City of Westminster College, England
  • 2011 ArchDaily Building of the Year Award for the Crystal, Denmark[5]
  • 2012 Arne of the Year Award, shortlisted for The Crystal, Denmark
  • 2012 RIBA Award, EU category, shortlisted for The Crystal, Denmark
  • 2012 Civic Society Award for University of Aberdeen New Library, UK
  • 2013 IABSE Denmark's Structure Award for the Crystal in Copenhagen
  • 2013 RIAS Award 2013 for University of Aberdeen New Library, UK[6]
  • 2013 RIBA Award 2013 for University of Aberdeen New Library, UK
  • 2014 Lieutenant Governor's Design Award in Architecture for Halifax Central Library
  • 2019 Urban Renewal GOLD Award, China Real Estate Design Award for Beijing Vanke Times Center
  • 2022 Fortune Magazine Design Award for Ningbo New Library
  • 2022 Shanghai Magnolia Award for Shanghai Library East
  • 2022 China Construction Luban Prize for Shanghai Library East
  • 2022 AIA Honor Award China Design Excellence Award for Shanghai Library East
  • 2023 AIA Honor Award for International Architecture, AIA International Design Award for Shanghai Library East

References

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  1. ^ "SHL celebrate third Future Projects Award". World Architecture News. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
  2. ^ "Amazon Court receives another prestigious award". Europe Real Estate. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  3. ^ "City of Westminster College wins a New London Award". ArchWirld. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  4. ^ "The Crystal Awarded with Emirates Glass LEAF Award for Best Structural Design 201". Bustler. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  5. ^ "The Crystal / Schmidt hammer lassen architects". 20 September 2011.
  6. ^ http://www.rias.org.uk/rias/[dead link]

Further reading

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  • Marianne Ibler (2007) Global Danish Architecture #2 – Housing. Copenhagen, Denmark: Archipress
  • schmidt hammer lassen (1999) The Royal Library – Architectural Images. Copenhagen, Denmark: Gyldendal
  • Forster et al. (2005) 10x10_2. London, UK: Phaidon
  • schmidt hammer lassen architects (2008) Outline – architecture by schmidt hammer lassen, Birkhäuser Verlag
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