Kornets Hus Hjørring

GOAL no. 2, 4, 11

At Kornets Hus visitors can cultivate, learn about, bake and taste the most important foodstuff in history: grain.

Every day agriculture becomes increasingly specialized and automated, and farms reduce their number of farm hands. This exacerbates depopulation in rural areas, which are also struggling with other challenges, such as changing demographics, i.e., a more elderly population and fewer young families. Tourism has the potential to create new types of jobs in rural areas and contribute to social and cultural development.

The education and communication centre promotes the region’s rich food and farming culture and tradition. Located on the land of an existing organic farm and bakery, Aurion, Kornets Hus offers visitors and employees a facility for activity-based learning – all centred around the importance of grain to Jutland and to human civilization at large. The idea was fostered by Jørn Ussing Larsen, co-founder of Aurion, who helped bring historical cereals back into Danish kitchens.

Based on research into the region’s rich landscape, folk culture and agricultural heritage, the architecture is defined by the two brick-clad light wells, which are a reinterpretation of bakers’ ovens. The interior opens up to the vast expanse of wheat fields to the South West, framing exterior views and opening onto a terrace. Public spaces are centred around a large bread oven, while teaching and exhibition spaces are defined by natural lighting and large skylights. The project is based on the concept of ‘design for disassembly’ and environmentally well-documented ‘material passports’. The building is heated by excess heat from its ovens and the Aurion production facility.

This project demonstrates how architecture can help develop new types of jobs in rural areas and create a reason to visit them. The project also spreads awareness and knowledge of traditional cereals, agriculture and culinary culture.

Project details

Where: Guldagervej 501, 9800 Hjørring

Completed: 2020

Client: Ejendomsfonden Kornets Hus

(The real estate foundation House of Grain)

Architects and advisors: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, COWI (engineer)