Cecilie Bahnsen Copenhagen: Lightness Meets Structure
For Cecilie Bahnsen’s Copenhagen headquarters, we designed a space that mirrors her signature aesthetic—airy yet structured, delicate yet defined. Set within a majestic, vaulted industrial space, the design embraces contrast, placing softness within an architectural framework of raw materials and clean, minimal lines. Every detail was carefully considered to ensure that the building’s structural beauty remains in focus, while creating a setting that elevates the brand’s collections without overwhelming them.
Brief
Cecilie Bahnsen’s designs are known for their dreamlike volume, intricate textures, and sculptural femininity. For her Copenhagen flagship and headquarters, the challenge was to create a space that: Preserves the integrity of the historic industrial building while introducing a sense of lightness. Uses a restrained material palette to maintain an atmosphere of clarity and refinement. Establishes a seamless dialogue between architecture and fashion, allowing the brand’s collections to take center stage. The result is a store that feels both ethereal and grounded, embracing negative space as an active design element.
Architecture & Design
The vaulted ceilings and raw industrial framework set the stage for a subtly choreographed interplay of structure and softness.
Floating White Walls – Free-standing partitions shape the space while preserving the openness of the original structure.
Glass Framing – Transparent elements introduce depth and layering without creating visual barriers.
Mirror-Clad Surfaces – Reflective elements amplify light, creating a feeling of expansion and weightlessness.
Innovation & Technique
Structural Honesty – Instead of concealing the building’s industrial origins, the design highlights them as part of the visual narrative.
Negative Space as Design – The store embraces openness and restraint, using the absence of material as a defining feature.
Reflections & Light – Mirrored elements and deliberate material contrasts create a sense of expansion and movement.
The Experience
Walking into Cecilie Bahnsen Copenhagen is like stepping into a space that is both structured and weightless, monumental yet intimate. The contrast between raw industrial surfaces and floating, reflective elements creates a setting where fashion and architecture merge effortlessly. The space doesn’t demand attention—it invites you in, offering a quiet, elegant stage for the collections to unfold. A study in softness within strength, presence within restraint.