Tscherning House: Showroom for the Future of Construction

What happens when those who demolish also build? When a demolition company reuses materials and gives them new life in new surroundings? You get an example like Tscherning House.

As an inspiration hub and showroom designed to showcase and promote circular thinking, Tscherning House stands on an industrial road in Hedehusene, speaking for itself.
The building was constructed using 100% recycled load-bearing structures and 89% reused or recycled materials. The building materials were harvested from the company’s own demolition projects, while the furnishings were either reused or upcycled.

A Vision for Reuse

Tscherning House got its name in 2003 when Søren Tscherning, director of the Danish construction and demolition company Tscherning, took over the building.

In 2023, the headquarters underwent a comprehensive transformation. As the developer, Søren Tscherning made a deliberate decision to prioritize circularity, reuse, and sustainability. Collaborating with architects from 3XN GXN, they transformed the building under the guiding principle: maximum reuse and a reflection of core values.

As part of this ambitious vision, every detail in the building has its own story, known by the people working there. For instance, the stairs came from the demolished Danhostel on Amager Fælled, the interior bricks were sourced from Gladsaxe School, and the work lamps were salvaged from the Natural History Museum of Denmark. Outside, insect hotels were crafted from old mink cages from North Jutland.

The materials are familiar, but they’re used in innovative and surprising ways. The commitment to sustainability is evident, and the execution is highly creative. Everywhere you look, you’ll find quirky details in the choice of materials and spatial solutions. For example, the desks in one room are made from recycled gymnasium floors, while another room features upcycled beer kegs from Carlsberg.

A Conceptual Building

The headquarters is home to 375 employees who work in offices, eat in the cafeteria, and hold meetings in the conference rooms. However, it doesn’t look like your typical office building.

Tscherning House was designed around three visual concepts: boxes, scaffolding, and frames. Together, these elements transform the former warehouse and industrial hall into a small city of pavilions.

The elevated meeting rooms in the cafeteria area resemble small urban houses. Combined with the many traditionally outdoor materials used indoors and the direct connection to the outdoor orangery, the building creates a unique sense of space. It feels like being both indoors and outdoors at the same time.