The Sound of Good Design

The moment you step into the ground floor of the new KAB House, it becomes clear that Denmark’s largest housing administrator has created a truly distinctive headquarters. The first thing you encounter is an open floor plan, where the central reception area offers a view up through all four levels of the building. The space is bright and filled with wood—on ceilings, walls, shelves, and window frames—and that is a deliberate design choice, explains Rolf Andersson, Development Director at KAB.

“We chose an aesthetic where wood is the primary element, combined with raw concrete. The light plywood dominates the interior, while the concrete serves as a raw contrast to the warmth of the wood,” he says.

For KAB, the most important goal was to create a cozy and welcoming environment. From the very beginning, there was a strong focus on indoor climate, natural daylight, and—above all—acoustics.

“Acoustics have been the decisive factor, and it’s actually the first thing people notice. Just before we opened the building, we had some workers in to make final adjustments, and one of the scaffolders said he had never been in a place where the sound was so good. That’s when I knew we had done something right,”
Rolf Andersson says with a smile.

A Homely Atmosphere

KAB has existed since 1920 and today manages 70,000 public and municipal housing units in the Greater Copenhagen area. For the past 77 years, the organization was based in a beautiful, historic building in the heart of Copenhagen. While the old house had charm, over time it became increasingly difficult to adapt it to the needs of a modern office environment. In 2017, KAB sold the old premises to build a new headquarters—one that would provide optimal conditions for its 400 employees and the many housing associations KAB represents.

“We wanted to create an ideal workspace where our employees would have the best conditions for managing rentals, payroll, and accounting for our clients—with strong opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. It had to be a building that radiates a sense of home and comfort. That was one of the reasons we chose wood,”
explains Rolf Andersson.

“We didn’t want a sleek, trendy building—we’re not an ad agency or an accounting firm. It’s important that we communicate that we’re a housing administration company for everyday people. That’s why we furnished the building with pleated lampshades, soft sofas, and classic FDB furniture—and wood plays a key role in that dialogue. It helps reinforce the cozy, homely atmosphere.”

Thoughtful Design Down to the Last Detail
The KAB House was designed by Henning Larsen Architects, with the staircase playing a particularly central role. Both the staircase and all surrounding railings are made from the same plywood that adorns the walls, ceilings, and shelving—making the staircase an active sculptural element within the building.

“The staircase is meant to be an experience in itself, which is why it’s not tucked away at the side but placed centrally in the heart of the building. We want people to move around and choose the stairs over the elevator, so it should be fun to use,”
explains Rolf Andersson.

The staircase also references the classic stairwells of residential buildings—places where neighbors often meet and chat. As you move up the stairs, you get a beautiful view of the atrium and glimpses into the many meeting rooms with glass walls facing the open space. At the very top, you arrive at a rooftop terrace filled with greenery, a small orangery, and panoramic views of the city—where you can even spot 14 of the public housing departments managed by KAB.

These housing associations are an important part of KAB, and that’s reflected inside the building as well, with large pots of beautiful green trees placed throughout the hallways and shared areas.

“The trees were donated by our housing associations. Each one has a small sign indicating the species and the donor. It’s a fun little detail you can enjoy as you move through the building,”
says Rolf Andersson with a smile.

And that level of detail is carried throughout the entire building. The architects from Henning Larsen didn’t just design the structure—they ended up being involved in everything from the Børge Mogensen sofas in the reception area and the signage made from stained plywood, to the coffee cups used by staff and guests.

“That wasn’t the original plan, but we felt they truly understood what mattered to us, so we involved them in more and more aspects. We wanted a homely building—and we definitely feel that’s what we’ve achieved,”
Rolf Andersson concludes.