Season’s greetings from Forma
We began 2023 as two seasoned architects, a student assistant, and a dream of a more joyful everyday life—one a little closer to architecture itself. It all started modestly, from two desks in distinguished surroundings and exceptionally good company.
As we enter 2024 in just a few days, we do so with nine fantastic talents, in our own studio, located in Bianco Luno’s former printing house next to the Glyptoteket, at Otto Mønsteds Gade 5.
From Forma’s perspective, 2023 was the year we found our name and truly became an architectural practice. It was also the year we succeeded at many things for the very first time in this new constellation.
We hired our first full-time employee—and one quickly became six. In January, three more will be joining us.
Together with BaneGaarden and re:arc institute, we launched our first construction site and realised our first built project: the UIA World Congress of Architects CPH 2023 Pavilion—the transformed greenhouse from the Botanical Garden, now given an extended life among the historic DSB drying sheds.
We completed our first local plan process in Haderslev, resulting in Forma’s first approved local plan at the end of October. At the same time, we initiated additional local plan processes in Frederiksberg, Lyngby-Taarbæk, and beyond.
With more than 30 projects passing through the studio this year, it has been busy—but also great fun. And that was the only strategy we set from the beginning: to enjoy our work and collaborate exclusively with good, thoughtful people. We are proud to say that this ambition has truly been realised. A heartfelt thank you to all the clients who placed their trust in a small, newly established practice, and to all our skilled collaborators who take part in the co-creation of these many projects.
Midway through the year, we moved into our own premises after a short but immensely instructive year hosted by some of the most experienced actors in the real estate industry. We are deeply grateful for the framework they provided, which allowed us to define and launch our new adventure—and for all the knowledge we bring with us into both shared and new projects.
2023 was also the year we hosted our very first party—and we even managed to squeeze in our first Friday bar right in the middle of the Christmas rush. One clear ambition for 2024 must be: more parties!
And no architectural studio is complete without a library. As architects, we stand on the shoulders of the hundreds of years of experience accumulated by our colleagues over time. We have been fortunate enough to acquire Torsten Bløndal’s research library and private collection, giving us an exceptional starting point with literature on Scandinavian and Japanese masters, as well as excursions into vernacular timber architecture from the East.
Throughout 2024, we look forward to unveiling the many projects launched this year but still living a quiet life behind the studio’s four walls. There is A LOT of exciting work on the way…
Thank you for an absolutely fantastic 2023. Thank you for the trust, the opportunities, and the collaboration. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to seeing you again in 2024.
Warm regards,
Everyone at Forma
