Topsøe
Lyngby, Denmark
Topsoe Refurbishment of Series 7™ chairs
The revitalised canteen space at Topsoe’s headquarters not only offers employees an enjoyable, multifunctional environment but also supports Topsoe’s sustainability focus thanks to Fritz Hansen’s Refurbish programme. As a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, sustainability is at the heart of Topsoe. It made sense, then, to look at how the Topsoe could implement sustainability on a practical level during the refurbishment of the outdated canteen at their headquarters in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen.
“The canteen is the hub of the building and was historically used only during lunch hours. We wanted to develop the space so people would use it more often, implementing a designated café for connection and a more friendly and appealing environment for informal meetings throughout the working day,” explains René Jacobsen, Global Facility Management Director at Topsoe.
Together with Helle Nøhr Holmstrøm, an architect specialised in workplace design, culture and human behaviour at the facility management company Coor, they worked to create a more dynamic environment conducive to collaboration and connectivity at all levels of the company. And with 900 people using the canteen on a daily basis, it was important to balance sustainability practices with financial considerations.
“Repurposing furniture is on the rise and architects and designers have long been aware of the value in salvaging quality furniture to prevent waste and maximise resources,” notes Helle. “This approach aligns with sustainability goals and also offers financial benefits, as continual office redesigns are neither practical nor sustainable.”
They discovered a number of Series 7™ chairs that have followed the company since 1983 but had been sitting in storage for years. Already familiar with Fritz Hansen’s Refurbish programme, they knew it was possible to give these old designs a second life.
“There’s a sense of emotional attachment to the chairs from 1983. They are a part of Topsoe's history,” Helle explains, adding that the inclusion of existing furniture serves as a tangible link to Topsoe's past, fostering a deeper appreciation among employees for the company's journey and values and enhancing the overall sense of connection and belonging within the workplace. “Furniture has the ability to create meaningful connections,” she adds.
Together with Helle Nøhr Holmstrøm, an architect specialised in workplace design, culture and human behaviour at the facility management company Coor, they worked to create a more dynamic environment conducive to collaboration and connectivity at all levels of the company. And with 900 people using the canteen on a daily basis, it was important to balance sustainability practices with financial considerations.
“Repurposing furniture is on the rise and architects and designers have long been aware of the value in salvaging quality furniture to prevent waste and maximise resources,” notes Helle. “This approach aligns with sustainability goals and also offers financial benefits, as continual office redesigns are neither practical nor sustainable.”
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