Sweco’s Aarhus office has realised these ideas by creating smaller rooms and flexible environments. In 2021, the department’s 150 architects and engineers moved into a historic building on Willemoesgade in Trøjborg in northern Aarhus, where the employees themselves were responsible for transforming the former factory and warehouse into an exclusive office environment.
Aarhus University used to occupy parts of the block. Previously, the site was even home to a brewery, a margarine factory and a paper factory. The distinctive sawtooth roof was added in the days of paper making. It lets in ample daylight and created the considerable ceiling height needed to accommodate the large paper machines.
In designing the office space, considerable efforts were made to reuse the furniture from the former offices. Many of the work tables originated from Willemoesgade, and some of the conference tables have had new life breathed into them after being oiled or covered with linoleum, while the chairs have been reupholstered.
“We have prioritised design classics in durable materials such as wood, canvas and leather. Consequently, the furniture will last a long time, patinate nicely over the years and at the same time retain their value. We have also bought recycled furniture from other companies,” says Mette Gravergaard
Sweco’s 3,100-square-metre office is a beautiful and inspiring working environment for the employees and at the same time acts as a showcase for clients.