reiulf ramstad recalls jutland’s agricultural heritage with ‘grain house’ visitor center

reiulf ramstad arkitekter has completed a visitor center in jutland, denmark, which showcases the region’s rich food and farming culture. the project is sited near one of the country’s oldest towns, hjørring, which has some of the oldest traces of settlements nationally and an established cultural landscape. the ‘kornets hus’, or ‘grain house’, is located on the grounds of an existing farm and bakery and serves as a facility for activity based learning centered around the importance of grain both to jutland and human civilization.

all images © reiulf ramstad arkitekter

reiulf ramstad arkitekter won a competition to complete the project in 2017, with the 680 square meter (7,320 sqf) structure completed in 2020. the architects explain that the building’s architectural form is derived from research into the region’s rich landscape, folk culture, and agricultural heritage — the center being defined by its two brick clad light wells, which reinterpret baker’s kilns.

internally, the visitor center is organized around a simple and flexible plan, which allows a wide variety of activities and functions to take place. the interior opens up to the vast expanse of wheat fields to the west, framing views outward and opening towards the terrace. meanwhile, the public spaces are centered around a large bread oven while teaching and exhibition spaces are demarked by the natural lighting and increased volume of the skylights. see other projects by reiulf ramstad arkitekter on designboom here, including a planned museum extension in norway.

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project info:

name: kornets hus / grain house

location: hjørring, denmark

program: visitor center

architect: reiulf ramstad arkitekter
client: ejendomsfonden kornets hus

size: 680 sqm / 7,320 sqf
commission type: invited competition (2017)
completed: 2020

photography: reiulf ramstad arkitekter