CLIENT
VIA University College (Herning)

PROJECT
Canteen

INFO
The canteen at VIA University College in Herning is housed in Aage Damgaard’s former shirt factory, built in 1965. The building, crafted from classic 1960s materials, stands out not only for its unique circular shape but also for its vibrant artistic heritage. Artist Paul Gadegaard was commissioned to decorate the entire factory, resulting in bold, colorful, and geometric artworks, which still decorate the canteen today. The building is now protected as a listed structure.

In redesigning the canteen, I drew inspiration from the original furnishings, which featured Arne Jacobsen’s dining tables and chairs. However, the space has been updated to meet modern needs, with the goal of encouraging students to use the area throughout the day. The interior includes a variety of seating options—high, low, and soft—which divide the room into zones, allowing students to choose the space that suits their activity.

All materials were carefully selected to add warmth to the room and complement the existing colors, respecting both the architecture and the artistic legacy of the space.