Cobe Unveils Design for Museum Wegner in Tnder, Denmark

"Cobe has revealed the design for Museum Wegner in Tønder, Denmark, a new cultural institution dedicated to the life and work of renowned Danish designer Hans J. Wegner. The museum will be located at Hestholm, a historic farm dating back to 1445, and will combine the adaptive reuse of existing structures with a contemporary extension. Selected as the project architect in February 2024 following a competitive interview process, Cobe is now moving the design toward realization with strong local and national support."

"Wegner (1914-2007), often referred to as the "Master of the Chair," created nearly 3,000 furniture pieces throughout his career, including the Wishbone Chair. Almost 200 of his designs remain in production today, symbolizing Danish design heritage and its international reach. The museum is located in Tønder, the designer's birthplace, where he trained as a carpenter before contributing to the golden age of Danish design in Copenhagen."

"Positioned within a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, the project aims to provide a permanent home for Wegner's legacy while establishing a new destination for design and culture in Denmark. The architecture draws directly from Wegner's design philosophy of craftsmanship, simplicity, and honest use of materials. Primarily built in wood, the museum is conceived as "an object in the round," without a defined front or back, establishing a strong dialogue with its surrounding marshland landscape."

"The existing gabled farm buildings, with their long sloping roofs and timber structure, have informed the architectural language. Through visible constructions, traditional building techniques, and straightforward material choices, the project emphasizes the connection between form and function. Inside, the museum will host permanent and temporary exhibitions dedicated to Wegner's work while opening space for broader explorations of craftsmanship, art, architecture, science, play, and technology."

Museum Wegner in Tønder will combine adaptive reuse of the historic Hestholm farm (dating to 1445) with a contemporary wooden extension to house Hans J. Wegner's work. The institution will provide a permanent home for Wegner's designs and strengthen Denmark's cultural and design tourism within a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The architecture directly references Wegner's values of craftsmanship, simplicity, and honest materials, conceived as an object in the round to engage the marshland setting. Existing gabled farm structures and traditional timber techniques inform the material and constructive language. Interior programs will include permanent and rotating exhibitions alongside broader cultural programming.

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