Launching A-lab Denmark

With its own department in Denmark, the objective is clear: A-lab wants to be as good as the Danes in Denmark. As one of the Nordic region's largest independent architectural offices, Denmark has long been in the spotlight as the firm has steadily expanded abroad in recent years, first with its own department in Portugal in 2016, then in France in 2021, and now in Denmark.

- Denmark is a little ahead of us in a number of areas, architecture being one of them. In terms of competition, they are in the very top tier. That makes it extra exciting for us to establish ourselves here. The goal is to become as good as the Danes in Denmark, says founder and general manager of A-lab, Geir Haaversen.

He is clear that they are not establishing a Norwegian office in Denmark, but a Danish office in Denmark. It is the two experienced A-lab architects, Danish Morten Breinholt Christensen and Norwegian Monica Bellika Esaiassen, who are now sitting behind their respective desks in Silkeborg in Jylland.

- What makes Danish design very special is its durability over time and the understanding of investing in quality that lasts, instead of thinking in the short term. It is an incredibly sustainable approach of high value, from which we can learn a lot, says Morten Breinholt Christensen, who received his architectural education in Denmark and worked for both COBE Architects and We Architecture, before moving to Norway.

In terms of projects, urban development is high on the wish list. In Denmark, there has long been a focus on good and sustainable urban development, and it is no secret that Norwegian architects have looked to Denmark for answers for several years. Monica emphasizes that A-lab's broad experience from large and complex urban development projects, such as everything from the master plan for Barcode and the urban floor strategy for Bispevika, to the ongoing development of Lilleakerbyen and the transformation of Økern and Galleri Oslo, gives the firm an advantage when dealing with Danish urban development.

- For each project, we have acquired unique knowledge which we believe can also help answer current and future challenges within urban development in Denmark. Over the years, we have created good relationships with several Danish offices, and we hope we can initiate many new and exciting collaborations that will lead to a mutual exchange of knowledge, says Monica Bellika Esaiassen.