What pihlmann architects does

pihlmann architects is a Copenhagen-based architecture practice led by founder Søren Pihlmann, specializing in adaptive reuse and material-honest transformation of existing buildings. Founded in 2021 with approximately 10 employees, the firm treats existing structures as material banks, systematically dismantling, cataloguing, and reintegrating building components to achieve documented environmental outcomes — most notably 95% material reuse-or-recycling rates and 88% carbon reduction versus new construction on its flagship Thoravej 29 project for The Bikuben Foundation.

The firm's product surface spans full-scale architectural projects (cultural institutions, breweries, student housing, private residences), curatorial and exhibition work (Danish Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale 2025), documentary film (Louisiana Channel's 'Make Materials Matter'), and book-length publications (480-page 'Thoravej 29' and 216-page 'Making Matter What Too Often Does Not Matter'). Underlying technical work includes systematic material reuse methodology, bio-composite research (hempcrete), and waste-wood/lignin board material development. Geographic footprint is primarily Denmark with expanding presence in Finland (Saari Residence) and international visibility through biennales and award circuits.

The business model is professional services with individually negotiated project fees, competition winnings, and a supplementary publication and documentary revenue stream. Go-to-market relies on invited competitions, direct commissions from cultural foundations and private clients, and reputation-driven inbound interest generated by awards, exhibitions, and editorial coverage in publications such as The Architectural Review, Bauwelt, and ARKITEKTEN. Customers are concentrated in cultural institutions and foundations (primary), production/manufacturing (secondary), housing developers, and private residential.

Name

pihlmann architects

Legal name

pihlmann

Website

https://pihlmann.dk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

pihlmann architects is a 10-person Copenhagen-based architecture practice led by Søren Pihlmann that specializes in adaptive reuse and material-honest building transformation, serving cultural foundations, private clients, and institutional commissioners across the Nordics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310), Residential Remodelers (236118), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Whole-Home Interior Renovation (Non-Structural) (HSAPAEAC), Load-Bearing Wall Removal & Structural Beam Installation (HSAPAFAB)

Keywords

• Sustainable architecture services
• Building transformation design
• Material reuse architecture
• Adaptive reuse projects
• Renovation architecture practice

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architecture Design Services: Professional architecture services for building design, transformation, and renovation projects. Revenue generated through design fees, competition prizes, and project commissions from public and private clients.
2. Publication Sales: Sale of architectural publications documenting projects and methodologies, including 'Thoravej 29' book (480 pages, ISBN 978-87-7407-101-3) and 'Making Matter What Too Often Does Not Matter' (216 pages, ISBN 978-3-7533-0811-1).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

pihlmann architects is a Copenhagen-based architecture practice that delivers building design and transformation services, with a primary focus on the adaptive reuse and renovation of existing structures rather than new construction. The firm provides professional architecture services for cultural institutions, foundations, private residential clients, and commercial entities, complemented by the sale of architectural publications documenting its projects and methodologies. Its work is distinguished by a systematic material reuse methodology that recovers and reintegrates existing building materials.

Product overview

Pihlmann Architects is a Copenhagen-based architectural practice led by Søren Pihlmann. The firm specializes in architectural transformations that prioritize material reuse and resource-conscious building practices. Their portfolio includes residential projects (Saari Residence, House14a, House on Fanø, Student Village), cultural and institutional work (Kunsthal 44Møen, Art Hub Copenhagen), commercial conversions (ÅBEN Brewery, Thoravej 29), and curatorial/exhibition work (Venice Architecture Biennale 2025). The practice has developed a distinctive approach centered on treating buildings as material banks, with documented achievements of 95% material reuse rates. Their work spans publications, documentary films, and built architecture, united by themes of material honesty, sustainability, and the integration of existing structures into contemporary use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Thoravej 29 Architectural transformation project converting a former factory into a multi-use cultural and community space for a cultural foundation.
• Saari Residence Architectural transformation of three former agricultural buildings for an international residency programme in Finland.
• Student Village Architectural transformation of a 17th-century half-timbered farm into student housing with 56 studio apartments in 11 buildings near Aarhus, Denmark.
• Kunsthal 44Møen Architectural transformation and extension of an art space on Møn island, Denmark, restoring three existing buildings and adding new exhibition and residency facilities.
• House14a Architectural transformation of a 1951 post-war single-family house in Copenhagen into a non-hierarchical collage of traces, embracing ongoing narrative and adaptability.
• House on Fanø Design of a contemporary longhouse on Fanø island, interpreting traditional Danish longhouse typology with sustainable, sensory-focused materials.
• ÅBEN Brewery Architectural transformation of a 1932 meatpacking facility in Copenhagen into a craft brewery, preserving industrial heritage while enabling public engagement with production.
• Art Hub Copenhagen Architectural transformation of a space in Copenhagen's Meatpacking District for an arts organization, following a strict reuse principle with no new materials.
• Book: Thoravej 29 480-page architectural publication providing an in-depth documented account of the Thoravej 29 transformation project, including text, drawings, and over 300 images.
• Book: Making Matter What Too Often Does Not Matter 216-page collaborative book exploring site-derived architectural practice and ethical considerations of material use, accompanying the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 exhibition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% material reuse or recycling rate achieved on Thoravej 29 transformation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Copenhagen ContemporarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Contemporary art institution that organized 'Reset Materials' exhibition (30.06.2023-28.09.2023) exploring future of architecture with new and experimental building materials. Hemp, Lime & Water exhibition displayed 1:1 structure of hempcrete compounds.
• The Bikuben FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Major cultural foundation that organized invited competition for Thoravej 29 transformation. Project won first prize in 2021 and resulted in 6224 sqm transformation of former factory into multi-use cultural space. Foundation also provided generous support for 'Thoravej 29' book publication.
• Kone FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent foundation supporting art, culture, and research. Engaged pihlmann architects to transform Saari Residence in Mynämäki, Finland - three former agricultural buildings for international residency programme. The project includes ongoing development of board materials based on waste wood and lignin, linking local production and material research.
• Hampus BerndtsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotographer who has documented multiple pihlmann projects including House on Fanø, Student Village, Thoravej 29, and contributed to Venice Architecture Biennale documentation. Long-standing visual collaborator documenting the firm's work.
• Marianne Levinsen LandskabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture firm collaborating on Kunsthal 44Møen project. Provided landscape design for the transformation and extension of the art space on Møn island.
• Archival StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with pihlmann on Art Hub Copenhagen transformation project. Both development and execution took place simultaneously as an archaeological process dissecting architecture layer by layer, dynamically creating a catalogue of possibilities.
• Office Kim LenschowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture office collaborating on House on Fanø project, contributing to the contemporary interpretation of traditional longhouse typology on Fanø island.
• ÅBEN (Brewery)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraft brewery client for transformation of 1932 meatpacking facility (950 sqm) in Copenhagen's meatpacking district. Project invited public into brewing processes, blurring distinction between public and production space.
• Danish Architecture CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish Architecture Center served as commissioner for 'Build of Site' exhibition at Venice Architecture Biennale 2025. DAC curates and supports Danish architecture at international venues.
• Louisiana ChannelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDocumentary production arm of Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Produced 54-minute documentary 'Make Materials Matter' following Søren Pihlmann's work over three years, and documented Danish Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2025. Premiered at Copenhagen Architecture Biennial 2025.
• Hoffmann A/ScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracting firm that executed Thoravej 29 transformation project. Collaboration essential for implementing the firm's material reuse methodologies on the 6224 sqm building.
• ABC Consulting Engineers A/ScoreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering consultancy for Thoravej 29 project, providing structural and technical engineering expertise for the transformation.
• Studio ThinkingHandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtistic consulting for 'Hemp, Lime & Water' exhibition at Copenhagen Contemporary. Provided expertise in material innovation and sustainable architecture practices.
• The Danish Association of ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization that organized 'Reset Materials' exhibition in collaboration with Copenhagen Contemporary. Supports experimental architecture and material research.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• David Chipperfield Architects: London-based firm with deep experience in cultural and institutional transformation projects (e.g., Neues Museum Berlin, Royal Academy refurbishment). Directly comparable on the cultural-institutional client mix and renovation-led portfolio.
• Assemble Studio: London-based collective known for material-led, reuse-driven projects and the 2015 Turner Prize. Comparable as a small, mission-driven practice built around material honesty and adaptive reuse.
• Lacaton & Vassal Architectes: Paris-based firm and 2021 Pritzker Prize laureate whose practice is built around the transformation and additive reuse of existing buildings (notably social housing). Closest philosophical and methodological parallel to Pihlmann's material-reuse-led renovation practice.
• Studio Mumbai: Mumbai-based practice emphasizing craft, material research, and locally-sourced materials in cultural and residential work. Comparable on the material-experimentation approach and craft-driven studio model.
• SANAA: Tokyo-based Pritzker Prize-winning firm known for materially-honest cultural architecture (e.g., Rolex Learning Center, Louvre-Lens). Comparable on the understated material language and cultural-institutional client base.
• COBE Architects: Copenhagen-based practice working across cultural, residential, and urban transformation projects in the Nordics. Directly comparable as a Danish peer firm focused on architectural transformation and public-facing cultural work.
• Atelier Bow-Wow: Tokyo-based practice with academic-led research into building typology, micro-architecture, and material behavior. Comparable as a small research-driven practice that publishes and exhibits alongside building work.

Broad incumbents

• MVRDV: Rotterdam-based international architecture firm with strong cultural, residential, and adaptive-reuse credentials. Comparable on the international practice of architecture with sustainability and renovation themes, though MVRDV operates at substantially larger scale.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Copenhagen-headquartered international architecture firm with broad cultural, residential, and commercial work. Comparable as a Danish-rooted practice with strong international brand, though BIG operates at a much larger scale and with new-construction focus rather than adaptive reuse.
• Henning Larsen Architects: Copenhagen-founded (now Rambøll-owned) architecture firm with significant cultural and institutional portfolio across Scandinavia. Comparable on cultural-architecture positioning, though it operates at significantly greater scale and scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/pihlmann
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pihlmann-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about pihlmann architects