Harboe Visitor Center, Skælskør

A high profile building complex in maritime surroundings strengthens the international profile of one of Denmark’s largest breweries

Category

Corporate

Location

Skælskør, Denmark

Year

2014 – 2018

Status

Completed

Size

800 m² + 550 m² rebuilding

Client(s)

Harboe Breweries

Harboe, one of Denmark’s largest breweries, commissioned PLH to design a new visitors center on the waterfront of Skælskør in South Zealand. Harboe’s intention is to further strengthen the brewery’s international profile by consolidating its various business activities in one location, to create a stronger, unified brand platform.

The new Visitor Center blends with its maritime surroundings - as if the building is born out of its location on the edge of the fiord. The center adjoins existing administration buildings and merges with the dense waterfront environment to accentuate the character of the site.

The new construction represents 800 m², while 550 m² of existing buildings are being converted.

In September 2018 The Harboe Visitor's Center received an award from The Municipality of Slagelse. One of the reasons being "an architecture that beautifully interprets and strengthens the character of the existing buildings and offers beautiful and inspiring meeting rooms and meeting points on the edge between the city and the water."

Contact:
Søren Mølbak
+ 45 2720 0591
sm@plh.dk

Under an expansive roof structure, reminiscent of the contours of a ship, visitors to the center can enjoy a spectacular view of the fiord while participating in tastings, product launches, special events or simply becoming familiar with the range of products on display. The Royal Dragon Boats, which figure prominently in the showroom, reinforce the underlying theme of Harboe’s brand storytelling as purveyor to the Royal Danish Court.

The new Visitor Center brings together reception, administration, offices, auditorium, production facilities and meeting center into a high profile building complex that will support and strengthen Harboe’s brand position on the global market.

“The new Visitors Center for The Harboe Brewery is awarded for an architecture that beautifully interprets and strengthens the character of the existing buildings and offers beautiful and inspiring meeting rooms and meeting points on the edge between the city and the water.

From the waterside, the brewery’s administration and representation rooms create a unifying framework around the underlying production facilities. The new Visitor Center is connected to Harboe’s existing administrative buildings and the reception, offices, auditorium, exhibition and meeting rooms are now all gathered under one roof. The facade facing the water unites and completes the volume of the industrial plant with unique structures and adds a new dynamic with its own splendid expression – especially with the movement of the triangular, spiky roof aiming against both the water and the sky. It is definitely worth a visit, not only for Harboe, but for the entire city.”

- The Award Committee - The Municipality of Slagelse

Foto: Rozbeh Zavari

Exhibition Wall

Harboe has an extensive range of beers and soft drinks, some of which are exhibited in a paneled oak wall. By curating Harboe's products in this manner, visitors are invited to learn more about the company, its history, and the story behind its products, whilst also being able to interact with the building.

Foto: Evan Hemmingsen

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