Danish architecture studio BIG is transforming a former Aldi supermarket in the north Jutland region of Denmark into the Museum for Paper Art, featuring a folded roof that resembles a sheet of paper. This project, in collaboration with psaligrapher Bit Vejle, will expand the existing 900-square-meter space to 2,300 square meters, celebrating Denmark's history of paper art.
Museum for Paper Art Expansion
Founded by psaligrapher Bit Vejle in 2018, the Museum for Paper Art is the only specialized museum for paper crafts in the Nordics. BIG will renovate the 900 sqm former supermarket into a 2,300 sqm museum with workshops, event spaces, teaching rooms, storage, and offices. Aiming for DGNB Gold or Platinum certification, the new lightweight roof will mimic a sheet of paper, uniting old and new elements. The existing walls will feature an acoustic-regulating layer of paper art inspired by origami, designed in collaboration with various artists.
BIG states that the Museum for Paper Art is "the only specialized museum for paper fine crafts and design in the Nordics," and its expansion is expected to double annual visitor numbers.
Roof Design and Interior Features
The Museum for Paper Art's roof will gracefully cover the site, integrating the existing building and new public spaces. Large glass panes will connect it to the ground, flooding the interiors with light. Inside, surfaces will feature white bricks and timber, referencing the wood used in paper production. The existing walls will be enhanced with a layer of paper art created by BIG in collaboration with various artists.
The Museum for Paper Art will include exhibition areas, workshop and event spaces, offices, and storage facilities. Exhibits will feature hand-folded lampshades by Danish brand Le Klint and papercuttings by author Hans Christian Andersen.
Landscape Design
The museum will feature a landscape of native plants and trees, with a winding path inviting public exploration.
Beneath the roof's lowest point, a pond with stepping stones will collect rainwater cascading from the sloped surface.
Project Details
Project Name: Museum for Paper Art
Architecture Firm: Bjarke Ingels Group – BIG
Location: Hune, North Jutland, Denmark
Partner-in-Charge: Bjarke Ingels, David Zahle
Project Leader: Tomas Ramstrand
Design Team: Mantas Povilaika, Neele Maree Ohlrogge, Jesper Ullbing, Matthew Goodwill, Kai-Brith Kalda
BIG Sustainability: Kannan Selvaraj