National Archive
The new National Archive in the northwest of Jutland - Nørrejylland – is a public institution, though without public access. It is a closed storage building with an expression of simplicity. Its main function is to gather and store valuable historical material and documents and make them accessible for posterity. Architecturally it is an almost closed building where its clean-cut shape optimally supports all functions. The layout is rational and clear.
The new National Archive in Viborg is the latest extension of Denmark’s first national archive, which was built in Viborg in 1891.
The compact building shape helps minimize the use of energy when a stable interior climate in the archives has to be ensured.
The simple monolithic feature has no superfluous elements. Instead, the facades of the building have been unpretentiously decorated through “graphic concrete” with patterns from a graphic template imprinted in the concrete surface.
The "book alike" pattern was made in collaboration with Danish textile designer Grethe Sørensen.
