Christian Holtegaard
Associeret / Faglig leder AART Spaceplanning / Projektleder / Arkitekt
Aarhus
chc@aart.dk
+45 41 96 17 69
Danske Commodities
Using strategic interior design to drive change
Location
Aarhus, Denmark
Client
Danske Commodities
Size
11.400 m2
Status
Under Development
Architect
AART
Spaceplanning
AART
Engineer
Niras
Contractor
A. Enggaard A/S
When energy trading company Danske Commodities was preparing to move into its new headquarters in Aarhus, the task was about far more than creating space for a growing workforce. The company had outgrown its existing premises, and the move to Akson became an opportunity to develop a workplace that could support its continued growth, employer brand, and international ambitions.
The aim was to strengthen Danske Commodities’ ability to attract and retain the best talent in an industry where competition for skilled employees is intense. At the same time, the new workplace needed to support the company’s culture and its ambition of ‘Sustainable High Performance. Together.’ – with a focus on productivity, well-being, and a strong sense of community.
Turning relocation into workplace strategy
The move was therefore not approached as a practical relocation exercise, but as a strategic opportunity to establish a new standard for Danske Commodities as a workplace.
The process began with an impact workshop involving senior management, followed by interviews with managers and employees. This created a shared direction for the outcomes the workplace needed to support - for both people and business.
The analysis highlighted a need for environments that could strengthen collaboration, flexibility, well-being, and knowledge sharing across the organisation. Activity-based working therefore became a central principle in the development of the new headquarters.
It was clear that AART understood our ambitions and took our visions and needs seriously, translating them into concrete solutions. The impact workshop helped establish a shared direction and a clear vision for a project that affected the entire organisation. The process ensured that employees’ wishes and needs were systematically gathered and translated into concrete decisions.”Martin Lynnerup, Brand Manager, Danske Commodities
Social commissioning as a driver of change
Employee involvement has been a central part of the process. Even before the move, new ways of working were tested in the existing offices, where parts of the organisation trialled activity-based working in practice.
The experiences were continuously evaluated and used to inform adjustments to the project. At the same time, employees were involved through ambassadors, information meetings, and ongoing dialogue. This provided insight into the needs of different departments, helped build understanding of the changes, and strengthened employees’ sense of ownership of the new workplace.
In this way, the workplace was not simply the result of change – it became an active tool for driving it.
The best workplaces emerge when we shape the physical environment around people, culture, and business. That is why the project was not simply about designing a new headquarters, but about creating a shared sense of ownership of a new way of working. Through employee involvement, testing new approaches, and ongoing dialogue, we were able to translate the organisation’s desired outcomes into an environment that supports collaboration, well-being, and high performance.”Christian Holtegaard, Architect and Head of Space Planning, AART
A workplace designed around people
Today, Danske Commodities’ headquarters is a flexible and scalable workplace with a range of settings, including work zones, project rooms, meeting facilities, fitness facilities, break areas, and social spaces that support focus, collaboration, and recovery.
The company’s own café, in particular, has become an important informal gathering point across the organisation.
The new workplace now supports focused work, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, while also playing an important role in Danske Commodities’ efforts to attract and retain talent.
The café has been a success beyond our expectations. It serves as a social gathering point where people can step away from the traditional office environment and meet in a more informal setting. This creates a different openness in conversations and brings something special to our workplace.”Martin Lynnerup, Brand Manager, Danske Commodities
A cohesive interior with new and reused furniture
AART was responsible for the interior design and furniture procurement, as well as the design and execution of bespoke joinery and furnishings. The interior ranges from formal meeting and representative spaces to dynamic, informal, and more playful environments, all developed with a focus on variety, activity-based working, and the different needs of employees.
Would you like to know more?
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Christian HoltegaardAssocieret / Faglig leder AART Spaceplanning / Projektleder / ArkitektAarhuschc@aart.dk+45 41 96 17 69
