LKR Innovation House by Praksis Arkitekter

Presented by Velux

_project: LKR Innovation House
_architecture: Praksis Arkitekter
_frames: Velux
_location: Østbirk, Denmark 

In architecture, the conversation is shifting from building bigger and newer to building smarter and better. As the climate crisis demands immediate action, architects are increasingly looking to the existing built environment as a resource rather than a constraint. Adaptive reuse—the art of reimagining and transforming existing structures—has emerged as one of the most powerful tools in this transition. By preserving embodied carbon, reducing waste, and respecting the cultural narratives embedded in materials, transformation projects can deliver beauty, functionality, and performance without the environmental costs of starting from scratch. This is not just a matter of aesthetics or nostalgia; it is a radical redefinition of what sustainable architecture can be.

One remarkable example of this philosophy in action can be found in Denmark, where a pioneering innovation hub now stands as a living manifesto for the possibilities of adaptive reuse. Born from a timber-structured warehouse built in the mid-1990s as an “experiment in wood,” the building has been meticulously reimagined into a 14,000m² facility that unites offices, laboratories, and workshops under one roof. Rather than demolish and rebuild, the transformation retained more than half of the original materials - concrete floors, glulam frames, roof structures, façades, and even paving stones - while weaving in new elements to enhance performance, comfort, and collaboration.

The result is a workplace that breathes with daylight and fresh air, embodying a holistic approach to human wellbeing. Designed with natural ventilation guided by the adaptive comfort model, the building acknowledges occupants’ ability to adapt to seasonal changes while maintaining indoor temperatures within a comfortable range throughout the year. This approach not only reduces the need for mechanical cooling but also strengthens the connection between occupants and the surrounding environment.

Sustainability here is more than a checklist - it is measurable and demonstrable. The transformation achieves a carbon footprint significantly lower than upcoming national thresholds for office buildings, underscoring the environmental advantage of working with what already exists. By integrating healthy indoor environments, material preservation, and energy-conscious design, the project proves that architecture can honor the past while building responsibly for the future.

In an era where demolition often feels like the quickest path forward, this transformation challenges the industry to slow down and look closer. Every beam, floor slab, and window tells a story worth continuing. And when that story is paired with forward-looking design, it offers a powerful blueprint for how we can create spaces that serve people, place, and planet - without starting from zero.

_article written by Daniela Moreira da Silva
_film by Architecture Hunter
_cover and image scroll by Adam Mork