We are a Danish architectural firm working in Scandinavia, Europe, and North America. Christensen & Co Architects (CCO Architects) was founded in 2006 with the ambition to create high-quality architecture, where innovative solutions contribute to sustainability and ensure long-lasting quality.
In 2024, RITA arch, an interior design and interior architecture firm, became part of CCO Architects. RITA arch was founded in 2018 with a mission to create spaces that are inspiring to use and inhabit. The mission and values are still intact and continue as part of CCO Architects. The work of being design-strategic with a focus on corporate culture, values, and brand, and the work of creating interiors that are based on the customer’s identity and needs, contribute to greater employee well-being and can therefore be seen on the bottom line continues at CCO Architects.
What we do
CCO Architects assists public clients and private companies in translating visions and desires into new physical spaces of high architectural quality. We work with all phases of construction from initial sketches and clarification to the final delivery of the building, including interior design, special furnishings, and wayfinding.
We work based on research and analysis, in an interdisciplinary process where our skills are combined with valuable input from our clients and users. Our approach is analytical and ensures a unique integrated solution in each project.
Our strong focus on architectural quality and our effective collaboration with our clients has resulted in more than 500,000 m2 of constructed buildings of high architectural quality for:
- Culture & sport
- Housing & masterplan
- Transformations of existing buildings
- Workspace
- Interior design
Additionally, we are experts in process management, user involvement, and universal design.
We offer a full range of planning and design services, from small renovations and transformation projects to new constructions and state-of-the-art facilities. Regardless of scale, size, or budget, we work diligently to develop and deliver solutions that strive to be socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable, meeting the needs and ambitions of our clients and supporting the ethos and strategic goals of their organizations.
We thrive on close collaboration with our clients, their users, and other collaborators—from engineers, contractors, and other architects to change management consultants, logistics experts, and specialists in various fields. We believe that collaboration is the key to creating the best, most flexible, and future-proof buildings of high architectural quality.
This has resulted in numerous recognitions, including awards for our projects and positions of trust held by our talented colleagues.
In our work to develop innovative solutions and buildings, we draw on experiences from a range of pioneering, innovative projects, including timber construction (CLT). We integrate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) in our projects, a practice we have followed for several years.
We have groundbreaking projects in timber construction (CLT), such as DTU Climate Challenge Laboratory, Heerup School, and Kistefossdammen Kindergarten. We also work on Design for Disassembly in projects like NOL and DTU R3 Platform B112.
Who are we?
We are a creative professional community of around 50 dedicated and talented architects, engineers, and humanists. Our office is in the creative part of Nørrebro. Every day, we challenge conventional thinking through innovative architecture that creates value for people and the environment.
Our organization
In 2016, Vibeke Lydolph Lindblad, Thomas Nørgaard, Michael Werin Larsen, and Mikkel Hermann Sørensen joined as partners in the architectural firm. Marie Partoft joined the partner group in 2023. The partner group collectively leads the office.
Michael Christensen is the founder of the architectural firm. Michael has been responsible for numerous acclaimed and award-winning buildings, especially in the field of education, both in Denmark and internationally. Michael focused on creating architecture from a sustainable holistic perspective, where dialogue and collaboration are important design tools in creating innovative architecture that forms a close relationship with the existing surroundings. In 2024, Michael handed over his responsibilities to the rest of the partner group to pursue a new direction within architecture.
Vibeke Lydolph Lindblad is an architect, and the managing director of Christensen & Co. Vibeke is responsible for the daily management of the office and partner responsibility for the Niels Bohr Building, framework agreements including with the Statens Serum Institut, and the University of Toronto’s new student residences at the Mississauga Campus. Vibeke is a board member of the Association for Construction Social Responsibility (FBSA), a member of the focus committee for architecture and building policy at Danish Architectural Firms, and a substitute for the government’s Council for Energy-Efficient Transformation.
Marie Horskær Partoft is responsible for business development, acquisition, and communication. Marie is responsible for team formation, proposal writing, and the development of the office’s business strategy in collaboration with the other members of the partner group. Marie is part of both the Danish Architectural Firms’ and the Building Society’s acquisition networks, where she works to focus on the process of tender and offer concerning the office’s work with architectural quality. As the Head of Communications, Marie oversees the overall lines of CCO’s communication and ensures a close connection between the office’s activities and external communication. Marie holds a master’s degree in Modern Culture and Cultural Dissemination from the University of Copenhagen.
Mikkel Hermann Sørensen is responsible for competitions, concept development, and projects in the early stages. As a partner in CCO, Mikkel focuses on setting the agenda for the office’s development and design methods, including how architectural solutions are integrated with LCA, LCC, and circular economy in the early stages of building design, with a focus on CO2 reduction.
Michael Werin Larsen is responsible for constructability and economics. Drawing on his extensive experience in developing projects through all phases from sketching to constructability and quality, Michael ensures that stakeholders on projects have the necessary knowledge to ensure quality. Michael is the office’s specialist in Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and LCC, and he sits on BUILD’s specialist committee for developing LCA requirements for specific building typologies under the 2023 building regulations for CO2e emissions. Michael is also the driving force in the office’s work to integrate BIM, constructability, and innovative sustainable solutions in the design process.
Thomas Nørgaard is responsible for interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge gathering at the project level, including strategic work on sustainability. He is particularly dedicated to the office’s projects, ensuring that architectural quality permeates all phases of the project. Thomas has contributed to the development of the DGNB Diamond scheme, teaches sustainability management in the Danish Architects Association’s +2 continuing education for young architects, and serves as an external lecturer at the Royal Academy.
Our Policies
We have adopted policies that define how we work with both social and environmental sustainability. You can download our policies here:
- Download our diversity policy here
- Download our policy against sexual harrasment here
- Download our climate policy here
As members of Global Compact, we maintain our sustainability ambitions by annually reporting on our efforts in our CSR report. Download our latest CSR-report here (only in English).
We are Engaged in
Architects Declare DK, Foreningen for Byggeriets Samfundsansvar, Commitment to Global Compact , Global Compact Network Denmark, Videnscenter for Cirkulær Økonomi i Byggeriet, SDG leadership network, Partnerskab for data for målene hos Danmarks Statistik, Byggesocietets Akkvisitionsudvalg, Danske Arkitektvirksomheders fokusudvalg for arkitektur- og byggepolitik.