Højvangen Church by Henning Larsen

Designed by Henning Larsen, Højvangen Church reimagines the role of the church in modern society, as a space for gathering, reflection, and connection that reaches beyond religious tradition…

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From the architect: In an era marked by church closures and increasing secularization, the opening of a new church is a striking exception. Designed by Henning Larsen, Højvangen Church reimagines the role of the church in modern society, as a space for gathering, reflection, and connection that reaches beyond religious tradition. It is the first new church built in the Skanderborg Parish in more than 500 years.

From Enghøj Church in Randers to the upcoming Ørestad Church in Copenhagen, Henning Larsen has long contributed to the evolving role of church design in Denmark, balancing tradition with new spatial and social ideas.

Eva Ravnborg, Director, Henning Larsen, Denmark expands “With the new church in Højvangen, we have been true to the theological tradition, while also reinterpreting the church as a place that accommodates both everyday life and celebrations, joy and mourning, across generations. Light was a central design driver for us. It’s more than a physical element — it brings a calm, almost spiritual quality to the space, lifting the experience of the church room beyond the everyday.”

Located on the outskirts of Skanderborg, Denmark, the 1,500 m² building honors Danish architectural heritage while embracing contemporary ideas of community and spirituality. Designed to host religious services, cultural events, and everyday gatherings, the church offers flexible spaces that extend beyond its traditional function. Materials such as brick, oak, and brass create a warm, timeless atmosphere.

From the outside, the church appears as a sculpted pavilion set into the landscape, connected to the existing church center by a partially underground corridor. With no formal front or back, the building’s only fixed element is its baptismal font, placed at the very center.

From here, views open in all directions – to the forest, the cemetery, the old church tower – reinforcing the idea of the church as a civic clearing rather than a directional space.

“Our ambition was to design a space that extends an invitation from every direction. This idea challenged the traditional church layout and allowed us to create a flexible interior that feels open yet intimate and sacred,” says Greta Tiedje, Global Design Director, Henning Larsen.

Unlike the traditional church layout, this adaptable ‘clearing’ can accommodate a wide variety of events, made to include everyone. The surrounding walls shift between solid and transparent, forming pockets of privacy that balance openness with intimacy, and community with personal reflection.

“A place of worship is a civic anchor,” Tiedje continues. “We designed it to be part of the everyday, a space where people can gather across generations and beliefs and find meaning through shared experience. That’s where real life happens.”

The gently undulating façade invites in shifting natural light throughout the day. Permeable walls filter and shape this light to create a dynamic interplay of shadow and atmosphere – making the architecture itself part of the spiritual experience.

Outside, the church invites engagement on all sides. A series of niches built into the colonnaded rear façade offer places for quiet retreat, conversation, or a pause in nature. A landscaped park and courtyard provide additional outdoor space for events and community use.

Architect: Henning Larsen - Espen Surnevik
Client: Skanderborg Parish
Location: Skanderborg, Denmark
Year: 2024
Size: 1,500 sqm
Landscape Architecture: Schul Landskab & Planlægning
Engineering: Rambøll
Photography: Rasmus Hjortshøj