THE
STUDIO
| STUDIO | ENGEL ARCHITECTS |
| FOUNDED | 2021 |
| LOCATION | COPENHAGEN, DENMARK |
| TYPE | ARCHITECTURE, PRODUCT DESIGN, CONSULTANCY |
| ROLES | FULL SERVICE STUDIO |
Our studio is located in Copenhagen, Denmark, a city renowned for its innovative approach to architecture, urban planning and sustainable development of the built environment. From here, we run a small, dedicated practice focused on creating exceptional architecture, urban design strategies, architecture-related design work such as furniture and products, as well as creative direction, research and development.
We collaborate with ambitious clients on projects internationally, prioritising sustainability and quality, and often advise on a strategic level too.
We believe the built environment shapes our lives and profoundly impacts the health and wellbeing of both the planet and its inhabitants. The pressing issues of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are concerns we take seriously and strive to address in all our projects to the fullest extent possible.
Our studio prides itself on a context-sensitive approach, ensuring that the surroundings or existing character of a building are always carefully considered. We frequently work with heritage and protected buildings, which require a thoughtful and sensitive approach.
In new builds, our aim is to create original and wholesome architecture that nourishes the soul. A key goal of ours is to reintroduce poetry and wonder into architecture, infusing our buildings with a cultural richness that can inspire for generations.
MORTEN
EMIL
ENGEL
Engel Architects was founded and is led by Morten Emil Engel.
Morten has lived across Asia, Africa, the US, and Europe, gaining a deep cultural sensitivity and understanding through his diverse experiences before establishing his studio in Copenhagen, Denmark.
His architectural education includes studies at The Bartlett School of Architecture in London and The Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen.
With extensive professional experience, Morten has made significant contributions to acclaimed architecture firms, notably working 12 years at COBE Architects serving as Head of 1:1 before launching his independent venture in 2021.
Throughout his career, Morten has led a multitude of noteworthy international projects across various functions, scales and contexts including art museums, public plazas, bridges, galleries, public parks, private recidences, and product design.
Morten is also engaged as an educator and researcher at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen, where he serves as an external lecturer. He has a strong interest in technology and materials, and the studio initiates research and development projects to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, manufacturing, and craft.
His work has received numerous awards, accolades, and scholarships.
CV
COMPLETED
WORKS
| ARCHITECTURE |
|
| 2023 | OPERAPARK - GARDEN, PAVILLON, BRIDGE AND PARKING BASEMENT. COPENHAGEN (COBE) |
| 2023 | THE REGENERATIVE CABIN - CASE STUDY HOUSE. COPENHAGEN |
| 2022 | NIKOLAJ KUNSTHAL - CAFÉ & BOUTIQUE. COPENHAGEN |
| 2021 | LE BICOLORE - EXHIBITION SPACE. MAISON DU DANEMARK. PARIS (COBE) |
| 2018 | DESIGNMUSEUM DANMARK - PLAZA, CAFÉ, TICKET OFFICE, BOUTIQUE. COPENHAGEN (COBE) |
| 2018 | ALFRED NOBELS BRIDGE - COPENHAGEN (COBE) |
| 2018 | LANDGANGEN - PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE BRIDGE. ESBJERG (COBE) |
| 2016 | RAGNAROCK - MUSEUM FOR POP, ROCK AND YOUTH CULTURE. ROSKILDE (COBE) |
| 2015 | SØNDERHO HOUSE - RESIDENTIAL HOUSE. FANØ |
| 2014 | ISRAELS PLADS - PUBLIC PLAZA. COPENHAGEN (COBE) |
| 2012 | NATIONAL PAVILION DENMARK FOR THE WORLD EXPO - YEOSU, SOUTH KOREA (COBE) |
| 2011 | NORDHAVNEN MASTERPLAN - ÅRHUSGADEKVARTERET & KRONLØBSØEN. COPENHAGEN (COBE) |
| OBJECTS |
|
| 2024 | OLI FAMILY FOR JAN KURTZ |
| 2021 | MAARMORILIK TABLES FOR E-NIELSEN |
| 2021 | F-CABINET FOR FRAMA |
| 2019 | INDEX AWARD STATUETTE FOR THE INDEX PROJECT |
| 2018 | HALFTIME CHAIR FOR ADIDAS X HAY (COBE) |
| 2009 | BOW-WOW STOOL FOR KRABBESHOLM HØJSKOLE X PP MØBLER |
ETHOS
COLLABORATION
We collaborate with our clients on materialising and evolving their dreams, with suppliers on finding the right materials and products, with engineers and specialists on unique requirements, with authorities to get the necessary permissions, and with contractors on delivering excellence.
We stitch all these flows of knowledge together to create holistic and exciting architecture.
CREATING VALUE
Architecture is often a significant investment. However, it’s one that typically pays off as soon as the project is realised—and sometimes even beforehand. Through careful planning, we help minimise risk in the early stages, visualise the final result before anything is built, and ultimately create high-quality projects of lasting value that appreciate over time.
ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY
Each building we create must have its own architectural identity. Through careful analysis of the site context, local conditions, building practices, available craftsmanship and materials, we develop projects that are unique and have a strong character and sense of place. Our projects are rooted in the place they stand and should affect their environment and inhabitants in an uplifting way.
ADAPTIVE REUSE
The studio has great experience working with adaptive reuse and the transformation of existing buildings, including sensitive heritage and protected buildings.
We find that the most successful projects coexist with the past while acknowledging the present by creating contrast and dynamism between the historical and the contemporary.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Innovation is at the core of our work. We undertake research and development as a means to create new materials, processes and innovation that are often integrated into our buildings. Most of our projects feature some aspect of research and development at a small or large scale, and we engage in collaborative exploration with other practitioners and institutions.
MATERIALS
We carefully select the materials we use, working primarily with natural materials.
Highly processed materials have a high carbon footprint, while natural materials have a low or even negative carbon footprint, as some can sequester CO2 as they grow. We choose materials meticulously based on their performance, environmental credentials, and aesthetics to create holistic architecture that will age beautifully and tread lightly on the earth.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
The studio is founded on a commitment to design and build within the planetary boundaries.
This means we design with low-carbon materials, energy efficiency, passive energy design, and principles of longevity and circularity to minimise the environmental footprint of our designs.
We do this by employing the latest knowledge, technologies, and materials. When needed, we engage with specialists to solve complex design issues and break boundaries to ensure our buildings have a positive impact on people, communities, and the planet for current and future generations.
BIODIVERSITY
We design our buildings knowing that they will affect both on-site and off-site biodiversity. We source materials responsibly to ensure a positive impact on the environment where raw materials are extracted and processed.
We also work on augmenting on-site biodiversity through landscaping, green roofs, access to water, selection of plant species, and rewilding principles to support natural ecosystems.
ANALOGUE AND DIGITAL CRAFTS
We support new digital tools and what they enable in enhancing our work. From registering existing buildings using digital point cloud scanning to utilising digitally controlled milling for carving wood or natural stone to robotically ramming earth blocks the digital frontier offers new possibilities for giving form to materials and architecture.
We also believe that ancient analogue working methods are as relevant as ever. From handmade wood joinery to cast Venetian glass mosaics, the quality of bespoke and handcrafted work will always shine through as something unique.
FURNITURE AND PRODUCTION DESIGN
Our holistic approach to architecture allows us to design not only the building but also interior fittings, furniture, lighting, and hardware to complete the vision and provide a strong architectural identity..
We believe in architecture as a holistic work where the door handles, windows, lighting fixtures, and furniture provide an integrated experience of our buildings.
LIGHTING DESIGN
We recognise that lighting is crucial for human health and our understanding of architectural space. This applies to both natural daylight, which is essential for humans, as well as artificial lighting, which has undergone a technical revolution that opens up whole new possibilities for lighting up our lives.
Light can enhance our appreciation of space and create moods and atmosphere, as well as support the circadian rhythm of people inhabiting buildings. The studio has solid expertise in lighting design and offers this as an integral service.
CULTURE
The built environment is a physical manifestation of our culture at a given moment. Therefore, a building is not merely a structure but part of forming our culture, shaping our lives, and self-understanding. We recognise the importance of the role buildings play in fostering a rich and sophisticated culture.
