Schønherr
Schønherr is a privately held Danish landscape architecture and urban planning consultancy (~35 staff, Aarhus and Copenhagen) that serves Danish municipalities, government agencies, and select private developers on climate adaptation, biodiversity, urban regeneration, and infrastructure projects through a 360-degree, methodology-driven delivery model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersAarhus, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Schønherr does
Schønherr A/S is a privately held Danish landscape architecture and urban planning consultancy founded in 1984 by Torben Schønherr, headquartered in Aarhus with a second studio in Copenhagen. The firm employs approximately 35 planners, landscape architects, architects, and technical staff, and operates through a five-practice-area portfolio: Planning/Programming/Process; Biodiversity and Climate Adaptation; Tourism and Accessible Landscapes; Urban Spaces (Everyday Landscapes); and Energy and Infrastructure. Its service delivery is anchored in a proprietary "360° Consultancy" model that spans the full project lifecycle from analysis and programming through to design, execution support, and operations, guided by the Schønherr Method — a framework structured around three integrated values (Beauty, Durability, Community) and aligned with the EU's New European Bauhaus initiative.
The firm works almost exclusively with Danish municipalities, government agencies, and a small set of private developers (notably Carlsberg Byen and the Femern Bælt tunnel), addressing climate adaptation, biodiversity enhancement, urban regeneration, and infrastructure projects. Technology inputs include GIS, hydrological and climate simulation, 3D visualisation, and participatory co-creation methodologies, codified in an in-house toolbox and a Biodiversity Manual. Strategic partnerships span engineering firms (Rambøll, WSP, Sweco, MOE), architects (3XN, LOOP Architects, Lundgaard & Tranberg), and research institutions (Aalborg University for life-cycle analysis, DBI for public-space security design). The firm is currently led by Managing Director Nina Jensen, with Mikal Hallstrup (founder of DesignIt) serving on the board, and operates as a partner-owned entity with no external investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity disclosed.
Schønherr firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Schønherr
- Legal name
- Schønherr A/S
- Website
- https://schonherr.dk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Schønherr is a privately held Danish landscape architecture and urban planning consultancy (~35 staff, Aarhus and Copenhagen) that serves Danish municipalities, government agencies, and select private developers on climate adaptation, biodiversity, urban regeneration, and infrastructure projects through a 360-degree, methodology-driven delivery model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Schønherr industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Consultancy
- NAICS
- Landscape Architectural Services (54132), Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Specialized Design Services (5414)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Landscape Construction Project Management & General Contracting (HSAIABAK)
Keywords
Where Schønherr is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aarhus
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Schønherr business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Landscape Architecture and Planning Consultancy: Full-service consultancy spanning the entire project lifecycle from analysis, programming, and vision through to detailed design, execution support, and operational management. Revenue is generated through professional service fees on project mandates from public and private clients.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Schønherr product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Schønherr is a Danish landscape architecture and urban planning firm providing full-service consultancy spanning the entire project lifecycle from analysis, programming, and vision through to detailed design, execution support, and operational management. The firm delivers projects across five practice areas — Planning/Programming/Process, Biodiversity/Climate Adaptation, Tourism/Accessible Landscapes, Urban Spaces, and Energy/Infrastructure — for public authorities and private developers in Denmark. Services are delivered through a proprietary 360-degree consultancy model underpinned by the Schønherr Method framework.
Product overview
Schønherr is a Danish landscape architecture and urban planning firm offering a unified portfolio of services organized around five core practice areas: Planning/Programming/Process, Biodiversity/Climate Adaptation, Tourism/Accessible Landscapes, Urban Spaces, and Energy/Infrastructure. The firm delivers projects through its proprietary 360-degree consultancy model and the Schønherr Method framework, supported by an internal toolbox of analytical and design tools including GIS analyses, hydrological modeling, 3D visualization, biodiversity assessments, and citizen engagement methodologies. Projects span climate adaptation, urban development, coastal infrastructure, parks, and public spaces across Denmark.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Planning, Programming and Process (Plan, Program og Proces) Strategic consultancy in urban planning, process management, and stakeholder engagement. Creates robust decision-making foundations and long-term solutions for complex projects through interdisciplinary coordination and user involvement, aimed at public authorities and private developers.
- Biodiversity and Climate Adaptation (Biodiversitet og Klimatilpasning) Climate adaptation and biodiversity consultancy that meets EU Taxonomy requirements, enhancing urban and landscape resilience to increased water volumes through both technical solutions and nature-based design. Targeted at municipalities and developers facing climate and biodiversity challenges.
- Tourism and Accessible Landscapes (Turisme og Tilgængelige Landskaber) Landscape design services creating inclusive, accessible destinations rooted in local identity and community values, including destinations and wayfinding systems. Serves municipalities, agencies, and tourism developers.
- Urban Spaces – Everyday Landscapes (Byens Rum – Hverdagens Landskaber) Design of outdoor environments including urban spaces, parks, cemeteries, healthcare and residential areas, and building design where function, beauty, and quality of life are integrated. Targeted at municipalities and developers of public and residential spaces.
- Energy and Infrastructure (Energi og Infrastruktur) Infrastructure design including supply and energy facilities, roads, bridges, tunnels, port expansions, and coastal infrastructure as integrated, functional, and aesthetic solutions connecting people and landscapes. Serves government agencies, infrastructure owners, and developers.
- 360° Consultancy (360° Rådgivning) Comprehensive consultancy engagement model guiding clients through the entire project lifecycle from program, analysis, and vision to operation and further development. Supports both public authorities and private clients in creating climate-adapted urban spaces.
Quantifiable outcome
- Sankt Annæ Plads handles a 100-year rainfall event through surface and underground drainage systems, protecting a large part of Copenhagen's Store Kongensgade district from cloudburst flooding.
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Schønherr
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Schønherr technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Schønherr partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
47 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- GrandvillecoreSchønherr was sub-consultant to Grandville on the Falstersvejskvarteret development plan in Middelfart. Grandville led the overall development planning while Schønherr provided physical planning, strategy, and preservation screening for the 30-hectare industrial area.
- PlanscapecoreIn collaboration with Planscape, Schønherr developed the screening method for the Falstersvejskvarteret project, assessing buildings across transformation potential, urban life potential, identity, cultural-historical value, and embedded CO₂.
- EnvidanminorListed as a project partner in the Falstersvejskvarteret development plan, providing technical input on environmental engineering aspects.
- RambøllcoreRambøll was the lead engineering partner on the Carlsberg City District urban spaces project, working alongside Schønherr on climate-adapted public realm design.
- Arpe & KjeldsholmminorEngineering partner on the Carlsberg City District project.
- Danielsen ArchitectureminorArchitecture partner on the Carlsberg City District project.
- EntasisminorMasterplan partner on the Carlsberg City District project.
- MOE A/ScoreEngineering partner on the Silkeborg Square project, providing structural and technical input for the new square above underground parking.
- BUUS Anlægsgartner A/SminorLandscape contractor on the Silkeborg Square project.
- Viborg Ingeniørerne A/ScoreEngineering partner on the Mønsted Kalkgruber accessibility project.
- Skive Anlæg & EntreprenørminorConstruction contractor on the Mønsted Kalkgruber project.
- Erik Heide (sculptor)coreCollaborated on the Mønsted Kalkgruber project to design a sculptural bridge that integrates respectfully into the limestone landscape while adding a sensuous architectural gesture.
- LOOP ArchitectscoreArchitecture partner on the Lisbjerg Recycling Station project, collaborating on the design of a circular building where waste sorting becomes part of sustainable welfare.
- SwecocoreEngineering partner on the Lisbjerg Recycling Station project.
- Carsten Juel-Christiansen (architect)coreCollaborated with Schønherr on the Vestled project in Hvide Sande, a landscape architecture work where art strengthens accessibility to the sea.
- Marianne Hesselbjerg (visual artist)coreCollaborated on the Vestled project, creating the tubular bronze sculpture 'like an unrolled horizon' that serves as artwork, bench, and social space.
- Hasserisgaard Consulting EngineersminorStage 1 engineering partner on the Vestled, Hvide Sande project.
- Havnecon Consulting ApSminorStage 1 harbour consulting partner on the Vestled, Hvide Sande project.
- Ingeniørgruppen Varde AS / Hans-Jørn LauritzenminorStage 2 engineering partner on the Vestled, Hvide Sande project.
- RambøllcoreLead engineering partner on the Gentofte Channel climate adaptation project.
- RambøllcoreEngineering partner on the Sankt Annæ Plads project, working on cloudburst management and drainage infrastructure.
- Eva Koch (sculptor)coreArtist collaborator on Sankt Annæ Plads, designing the play sculpture for children and adults.
- Lundgaard & TranbergminorArchitecture partner on the Sankt Annæ Plads project.
- Zacho LindminorLandscape partner on the Sankt Annæ Plads project.
- JeudanminorProperty and development partner on the Sankt Annæ Plads project.
- Ingeniør Viggo MadsencoreEngineering partner on the Struer Harbour climate adaptation project.
- M. J. EricssoncoreEngineering partner on the Struer Harbour project.
- RambøllcoreEngineering partner on the Kokkedal Climate Adaptation project.
- Ebbe Dalsgaard A/SminorArchitecture partner on the Kokkedal Climate Adaptation project.
- P. Malmos A/SminorLandscape contractor on the Kokkedal Climate Adaptation project.
- Eva Koch (visual artist)coreVisual artist collaborator on Kokkedal Climate Adaptation, contributing artistic elements to the blue-green urban spaces.
- Danish Board of TechnologycorePartner in the Strøby Egede climate adaptation project, contributing to citizen involvement and technology assessment.
- WSPcoreEngineering and cost estimation partner on the Strøby Egede project, providing construction and operation cost estimates and assessment of nature development potentials.
- RealisecorePartner on the Strøby Egede project, providing the cost-sharing model proposal.
- EnvidancoreWater and environmental engineering partner on the Køge North urban development project.
- TscherningminorConstruction partner on the Køge North project.
- MalmosminorLandscape contractor on the Køge North project.
- 3XNcoreLead architect on the Lighthouse project at Aarhus Ø, with Schønherr as sub-consultant for masterplan, concept design, and detailed design of outdoor areas.
- RambøllcoreEngineering partner on the Lighthouse project at Aarhus Ø.
- AarsleffminorConstruction partner on the Lighthouse project.
- Dan JordminorSoil and ground engineering partner on the Lighthouse project.
- UN StudiominorArchitecture partner on the Lighthouse project.
- GrontmijminorConsulting engineering partner on the Lighthouse project.
- Gehl ArchitectsminorUrban quality consultancy partner on the Lighthouse project.
- Aalborg Universitet (Aalborg University)coreSchønherr collaborates with Aalborg University on systematic material classification and life cycle analyses (LCA), ensuring that sustainability claims are scientifically grounded and compliant with EU Taxonomy and ESG frameworks.
- Dansk Brand & Sikring (DBI)coreSchønherr collaborated with DBI (Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology) to develop an online tool for assessing and planning physical security measures against terror threats in public spaces, following EU's official definition of terrorism.
- Kunstnere og forskere (Artists and researchers)minorSchønherr collaborates with artists, scientists, think tanks, and specialists to shape future solutions, integrating diverse perspectives into landscape and urban design.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Schønherr competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- COWI: Major Danish-headquartered engineering, architecture and consulting group active in climate adaptation, urban development and infrastructure. Comparable in addressing the same Danish municipal and infrastructure clients, though at much larger scale and across a wider service portfolio.
- Sweco: European engineering and architecture consultancy with a strong Nordic presence. Comparable as an engineering and urban-development partner to Danish municipalities (e.g., as engineering partner on Lisbjerg Recycling Station), competing for the same large public-sector climate and infrastructure mandates.
- WSP: Global engineering and design consultancy with a significant Nordic practice. Comparable in providing engineering, cost and nature-development expertise on Danish climate-adaptation projects (e.g., Strøby Egede with Stevns Kommune), and increasingly competing for the lead consultancy role.
- Rambøll Group: Large Nordic engineering, architecture and consulting group. Most frequent engineering partner to Schønherr on flagship mandates (Carlsberg Byen, Sankt Annæ Plads, Kokkedal, Gentofte Channel). Comparable in serving Danish municipalities on climate adaptation and urban development, but at far greater scale and a much broader portfolio.
Regional players
- 3XN: Danish architecture firm active in masterplanning, urban design and large mixed-use developments. Comparable as a Nordic design-led practice collaborating with Schønherr (e.g., Lighthouse, Aarhus Ø), sharing the same public and private Danish developer clients.
- BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Copenhagen-based architecture and urbanism practice with strong Nordic identity and global profile. Comparable in design-led Nordic positioning and large-scale urban masterplanning, though focused on building architecture more than landscape.
- MOE A/S: Danish engineering consultancy serving municipalities and developers on urban development and infrastructure. Comparable in project type and client base, particularly as a structural/technical partner on urban-space mandates such as Silkeborg Square.
Emerging players
- Henrik Valeur / Transform: Copenhagen-based urban planning and architecture practice specialising in waterfront, climate and harbour transformations. Comparable in niche focus on Danish coastal and climate-adaptation urbanism (e.g., harbour redevelopments).
- STED (landscape architecture): Danish landscape architecture practice working on urban spaces, climate adaptation and public realm. Comparable in service offering and Danish municipal client base, but at smaller scale; serves as a benchmark for boutique landscape peers.
Direct peers
- Gehl Architects: Copenhagen-based urban planning and landscape architecture practice with a people-centred, public-realm focus. Closely comparable in Nordic urban-design ethos, citizen engagement methodology, and Danish municipal client base; cited as a partner on the Lighthouse, Aarhus Ø project.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Schønherr social profiles
Digital presenceSchønherr financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Schønherr leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Schønherr funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Schønherr M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Schønherr
What does Schønherr do?
Schønherr is a Danish landscape architecture and urban planning firm providing full-service consultancy spanning the entire project lifecycle from analysis, programming, and vision through to detailed design, execution support, and operational management. The firm delivers projects across five practice areas — Planning/Programming/Process, Biodiversity/Climate Adaptation, Tourism/Accessible Landscapes, Urban Spaces, and Energy/Infrastructure — for public authorities and private developers in Denmark. Services are delivered through a proprietary 360-degree consultancy model underpinned by the Schønherr Method framework.
Is Schønherr a public or private company?
Schønherr is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Schønherr founded?
Schønherr was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Schønherr based?
Schønherr is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Schønherr make money?
One revenue line is on record: landscape Architecture and Planning Consultancy.
Who are Schønherr's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are COWI, Sweco, WSP and Rambøll Group. Regional players are 3XN, BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and MOE A/S. Emerging players are Henrik Valeur / Transform and STED (landscape architecture). Gehl Architects is listed as a direct peer.
Does Schønherr have an API?
No public API is recorded for Schønherr.
What industry is Schønherr in?
Schønherr's product category is Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Consultancy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAIABAK, Landscape Construction Project Management & General Contracting. Its NAICS code is 54132 and its SIC code is 8711.