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TRANSACTIONS VILHELM LAURITZEN ARCHITECTS AND KJAER & RICHTER IN NEW COLLABORATION Two of Denmark’s leading architectural firms are entering into a new formalised collaboration across the country with Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekter as the new majority owner. The new constellation will meet clients’ needs for independent, professionally sound and up-to-date advice across the country. On November 21, 2022, Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekter became the majority owner of the Jutland-based architectural firm Kjaer & Richter. This decision has been taken based on a shared set of values, which are based on independence, professional development in digital processes, increased demands for sustainability and new growth. “With the new structure, we will have a solid professional foundation for the future. It leaves room for the development of our competences and services in an increasingly competitive market together with a carefully selected investor. With Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects we reach a mass that means we can develop new services also in areas such as sustainability and digitalisation and offer our clients a wider range of projects based on a common foundation,” says Peter Sand, CEO of Kjaer & Richter, which was founded in Aarhus in 1954 and has 50 employees in Aarhus, Aalborg, and Copenhagen.
Kjaer & Richter will continue as before with the current owners as directors and co-owners, and client relationships and current projects will not be affected by the change in ownership. Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects has for several years been on a growth journey based on strong competencies in areas such as complex construction, sustainability and digitalisation. Areas in which the company’s management continues to see significant development potential together with Kjaer & Richter, which has in-depth experience in education, learning and residential buildings, as well as transformation and cultural heritage. Together, the parties will draw on decades of expertise and build an even stronger joint architectural knowledge and competence. “With Kjaer & Richter, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects will be geographically stronger and able to offer local strengths in urban development, construction, urban spaces and landscape across the country. We continue to see clients demanding independent architectural advice at home and abroad. Therefore, we have no doubt that the new constellation will bring both increased activity and even more quality in architecture and processes, not only in Denmark but also internationally,” says Gyrithe Saltorp, CEO of Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects. In addition to Kjaer & Richter, STED By og
Landskab has also been a subsidiary of Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekter. “With Kjaer & Richter we stand as a united, strong trio in a community of values based on orderliness and curiosity. We have found each other in an ambition to create architecture in a secure coupling of form, function and context,” says Gyrithe Saltorp. Kjaer & Richter is an architectural firm with approximately 50 employees in offices in Aarhus, Aalborg and Copenhagen. Kjaer & Richter’s history dates back to 1954, when a first prize in the architectural competition for a new state secondary school in Aarhus formed the basis for the firm’s establishment. The focus is on developing robust and integrated buildings with present and experiential architecture for the benefit of users and the environment. The starting point is the Nordic tradition with a strong link between form and function as well as simplicity in aesthetics, materiality and detail. Projects are developed in a co- creative and evolving process, where the alignment of expectations and a common understanding are key parameters for a successful project. Holistic thinking about user interface, design, sustainability, technology and economy are key elements from concept to finished building.
be their race, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other identifier, it is important that we understand those dynamics and give a comfortable, motivating space for all to work in. That will create a diversified team environment in our firm and a great end product for our clients. Tim Dunn, P.E. is a project engineer at Urban Engineers. He can be reached at tpdunn@urbanengineers.com. important that organizations recognize this and make efforts to support employees and candidates from all backgrounds.” “No matter what industry you work in, there will be a diverse array of human beings who make up your staff and the hiring pool you’re recruiting from. It’s
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success. The Urban Alliance has hosted virtual and in-person meet-ups open to all employees to connect. Our group has provided firm-wide communication about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in America, as well as profiles of members and allies to create connection and familiarity between staff who work in different offices, remotely, and in the field. We’ve worked with our human resources team to incorporate new documentation and verbiage in Urban’s handbook to promote actionable inclusivity. We plan to continue these actions to foster more context and understanding among one another. Having a cultural understanding of a wide range of human beings will help garner the best of them. It brings out excellence, which has long been a motto at Urban. We want to hire the best talent there is in this world, and I think the best way to do that is to get talent from every aspect of life. When Urban is hiring people from diverse backgrounds, whether it
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THE ZWEIG LETTER JANUARY 16, 2023, ISSUE 1472
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