Danmarks Nationalbank

As Arne Jacobsen’s successors, Dissing+Weitling has for several decades provided architectural services, technical consultancy, valuation, and renovation of Danmarks Nationalbank.

Our specialist knowledge of today’s listed Danmarks Nationalbank dates back to the firm’s founding in 1971, when Otto Weitling, together with Hans Dissing, took over the design work on the bank’s final stages following Arne Jacobsen’s death.

Dissing+Weitling subsequently carried out Stage 2 (1972–1978), comprising all banking facilities, offices, representative rooms, the banking hall, the foyer, and the main entrance, as well as Stage 3 (1976–1978), covering the bank’s service functions and underground parking facilities.

Since then, we have worked on the Nationalbank from 2001–2009, again from 2004–2005, and were awarded a four-year framework agreement for 2018–2022.

The Foyer

From 2004–2005, Dissing+Weitling carried out a renovation of the National Bank’s foyer and designed a new reception area.

The work included a new reception desk, adapted to the bank’s current functions. From the modest main entrance facing Havnegade, the wedge-shaped, cathedral-like foyer unfolds, with a ceiling height of nearly 20 meters.

Daylight filters in through tall, narrow window slits between the façade columns, creating graphic effects on the walls clad in Porsgunn marble—the same material used for the bank’s façade. The foyer, as part of Stage 2, was designed by Otto Weitling after Arne Jacobsen’s death.

Roof, reception, and canteen

From 2001–2009, Dissing+Weitling undertook extensive roof renovations in the role of full-service consultant, and from 2004–2005 the firm was responsible for transforming the canteen and designing a new, adapted reception area in the bank’s foyer.

The original desk in the foyer was replaced by a new, open reception, discreetly integrated into the space as a clean-lined inset. In this way, the reception emphasizes the foyer’s simple choice of materials, proportions, and overall spatial effect.

The reception niche is clad in pearwood panels, whose warm tones contrast with the cool coloring of the marble cladding and resonate with textile artist Kim Naver’s illuminated red and golden tapestries on the opposite wall.

Heritage value assessment

Dissing+Weitling has prepared a heritage valuation with detailed documentation and description of the key preservation values. Arne Jacobsen’s drawings, surveys of color schemes, lighting fixtures, material choices, and other archival material have been collected from multiple sources, coordinated, and made accessible in order to safeguard the transmission of the architectural legacy.

The valuation provides an overview of the National Bank’s original building design and materials, and the documentation highlights the architectural and historical value of the interiors on a three-tier scale. In this way, the valuation establishes a professional foundation for preserving the building’s design and architectural integrity as a Gesamtkunstwerk.

Continuing the Legacy

Over the years, we have had the privilege of returning to several of Arne Jacobsen’s works, where changing requirements or other factors have made supplementary maintenance or renovation necessary. This includes both structural conditions and functional adaptations.

A current example is Hamburgische Elektricitäts-Werke AG (HEW) in Hamburg—a 48,600 square meter office building, constructed as a direct predecessor to the National Bank

HEW is an outstanding example of Arne Jacobsen’s and Otto Weitling’s holistic approach to architecture. Both works feature meticulously curated materials such as Porsgrunn marble and pearwood, as well as elements like plant boxes, lighting, and door handles—all designed by Jacobsen himself.




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