Project Name: Houses Within the House

Location: Birkerød, Denmark

Design Team: Jesper Kusk Arkitekter

Area: 220 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Lars Rolfsted Mortensen

Main Materials: Wood, Bamboo, Birch Plywood

Collaborators: THKR, Regnestuen (Engineering), LoBe Landskab (Landscape), Iben Winther Orton (Lighting)

Manufacturers: DS Stålprofil, In-Sign, Krone, Krone Vinduer A/S, Lindab, The Greenery

Feature：

Project - In a bold rejection of Denmark's demolition culture, Jesper Kusk Arkitekter has transformed a 1967 modernist residence in Birkerød into a luminous sanctuary that champions sustainable preservation. The "Houses Within the House" project reimagines a single-family home through a series of interconnected volumes, challenging the notion that new construction is the only path to contemporary living.

The renovation breathes new life into architect Steffen Hougaard's original design while adding a distinctive extension that both complements and contrasts with its predecessor. The addition, clad in green-painted timber, creates a compelling dialogue between old and new, setting itself apart while maintaining a harmonious architectural conversation with the existing structure.

At the heart of the 220-square-metre dwelling lies an innovative spatial concept where each room features a pitched ceiling, creating the sensation of individual houses nestled within the larger structure. This architectural gesture not only pays homage to the archetypal house form but also generates dynamic interior volumes that play with light and shadow throughout the day.

The project's environmental consciousness is evident in every detail. Strategic skylights pierce the new roof, establishing natural ventilation pathways and flooding the interiors with daylight. A sophisticated rainwater harvesting system, concealed beneath the ground, supplies water for toilet flushing, while the careful selection of biogenic materials – including bamboo flooring and birch plywood wall cladding – significantly reduces the renovation's carbon footprint.

Perhaps the most striking feature is the seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces. Custom-built furniture, including a generous window-seat that extends toward the garden, creates contemplative moments that blur the boundaries between architecture and nature. The thoughtfully orchestrated sightlines and connections to the landscape transform everyday living into a continuous dialogue with the natural environment.

This project serves as a compelling case study in architectural upcycling, demonstrating how Denmark's existing housing stock can be reimagined for contemporary life without resorting to demolition. In a country where approximately 1,100 single-family homes are razed annually, this renovation stands as a testament to the potential of adaptive reuse, proving that with innovative design thinking, yesterday's architecture can be transformed to meet tomorrow's needs while preserving embodied carbon and architectural heritage.

Design Team - Jesper Kusk Arkitekter, established in 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark, has rapidly emerged as a significant voice in contemporary Nordic architecture, specializing in sustainable design and adaptive reuse. Founded by Jesper Kusk, who brings nearly two decades of expertise from prestigious firms including Nordic - Office of Architecture and Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter, the practice has garnered recognition for its innovative approach to environmental stewardship and contextual sensitivity.

The firm's design philosophy centers on creating enduring architecture that transcends temporal boundaries, emphasizing biophilic design principles and carbon-conscious methodologies. Under Kusk's leadership, who serves as the Chairman of the Competition Committee at the Danish Association of Architects since 2023, the studio has developed a distinctive portfolio characterized by its sophisticated material palette and emphasis on timber construction.

Operating from their headquarters in the historic Fæstningens Materialgård, the practice has cultivated a reputation for thorough analytical processes and collaborative design approaches. Their work is distinguished by a careful integration of daylight, natural ventilation, and innovative spatial programming. The firm's commitment to sustainability extends beyond mere energy efficiency to encompass broader social and environmental responsibilities, reflected in their meticulous attention to material lifecycle and adaptive reuse strategies.