A conversation with Atelier Axo: Crafting spaces with stories
In 2019, designer Rose Hermansen and architect Caroline Sillesen came together to establish Atelier Axo, a multidisciplinary design and architecture studio. Their innovative approach to architecture, interiors, and furniture design has since gained acclaim for its seamless integration of aesthetics and sustainability. Combining their unique expertise, they create a dynamic dialogue inspired by a shared passion for tactile materials, authenticity, and the enduring tales embedded in history.
How does your partnership work, and how do you draw on your different fields of expertise as a designer and architect?
ATELIER AXO: We each bring different areas of expertise, so we complement one another well. Sometimes, we work very closely, and other times, we work independently – it all depends on the nature and scale of the project at hand. Some projects require close collaboration on every aspect, while others allow us to delve into separate focus areas and responsibilities. However, all projects have one thing in common: we are both involved in consequential decision-making. This leads to constructive discussions and holistic solutions enriched by our different perspectives.
“ We had much of the furniture designed especially for the space, including the six different types of tables, because we wanted to contribute to that tradition – to create a space that pays homage to Danish design and carries it forward. ”
Atelier Axo
Where do you find inspiration, and how do other disciplines, such as art, nature, and technology, influence your work?
AA: The inspiration for every one of our projects springs from its genius loci, which is to say, the spirit of the place. All places have a story to tell, and our goal is to dive into the surroundings and find the right story. Other disciplines come into play as they open our creative process to new perspectives and challenge us to think differently. We’re inspired by visual art’s intuitive and abstract possibilities, nature’s materiality and sustainability, and technology’s spirit of innovation. By combining these, we can arrive at poetic and functional solutions.
How do you interpret concepts like “craftsmanship” and “authenticity” when creating a space?
AA: For us, craftsmanship is the essence of good design. If you don’t pay attention to craftsmanship, then your work will be anchorless—the soul of a room or a piece of furniture lies in its tactility, details, and construction. Authenticity is about making something true to the place’s materials and history. We strive for every space we work on to tell its own story, anchored in its surroundings and the people who inhabit it.
Your task at Restaurant Bobe was to transform an iconic building with hundreds of years of history. How do you approach such a project?
AA: We approached it with careful deliberation, humility, and respect for the building’s history. Our first step is always to listen to the place – its architecture, materials, and stories – and then we aim to build a bridge between that history and the present. Our goal is to preserve the soul of the place while creating a new functionality and aesthetic that can live on for a long time. We’ve also spent many hours working on the out-of-sight architectural elements – the spaces between the walls and the flooring – so the building can emerge in its best incarnation.
You have recycled various existing elements from the building, including design that belonged to the previous restaurant, Peder Oxe. Can you explain this choice?
AA: We chose to recycle elements such as Mogensen’s J39 chairs because they bear the story that gives the space its soul. They were a part of Peder Oxe, an iconic restaurant with a long and rich life, and by integrating them, we are bringing the warmth of that past into a contemporary design. This particular lightly-smoked, oak version of the J39 Chair was designed especially for the space years ago, and we found it just as relevant today. We modified them with a slight extension to the legs, elevating them to the contemporary dining height, and we gave all of the chairs a thorough refurbishment so they’ll be ready for many more years of use. Recycling is an homage to the original craftsmanship and a way of creating connections between the old and the new. Another iconic element at Peder Oxe was the unique pendant lights that hung over every table, all with a box with the table number on them and a little green lamp that you could switch on when you needed something from the waiter. We have reused all of the glass lampshades in the wine cellar, and in certain places in the restaurant, we fastened the table numbers to the floor like little remembrances. So, when you’re dining at Restaurant Bobe, you might see a small copper plaque with the number 12 on the floor, and if you frequented Peder Oxe, you’ll recognise this salute to the space’s former self.
Danish design is an essential element in the interior of Restaurant Bobe – was that a conscious choice?
AA: Very much so. We wanted to support and showcase Danish design, which we believe has the unique ability to combine simplicity, functionality, and beauty. We had much of the furniture designed especially for the space, including the six different types of tables, because we wanted to contribute to that tradition – to create a space that pays homage to Danish design and carries it forward. The modern elements have been made with the same attention to detail and craft as the classics, and they work together to create a space in which old and new melt together in a natural, enlivening way.
How do you use light and shadow to create the mood of a space?
AA: Light and shadow are fundamental tools in shaping the mood in a space. We work with natural light, which shifts throughout the day in various ways. In some places, we let it in, while in others, a filter is necessary to maintain the warmth of a space. We balance this with artificial light to create variety and depth and help maintain a specific mood, whether in January or August. By experimenting with the intensity of light and its directionality, you can create a warm, calm, or energetic mood, depending on what the room intends to express.
What are your favourite details in Restaurant Bobe?
AA: There are so many little details in Bobe that we’re fond of: the aforementioned copper table numbers, the unique textile hangings in the windows — every one of which has a motif that’s specifical to its place and its view, the unique handles on the wait stations, which are handcast from the recycled aluminium of Volvo rims, and the patterned arch curves that are echoed in the restaurant’s drawers, shelves, and benches. But perhaps we would say that our favourite detail in Restaurant Bobe is the precise craftsmanship in the interplay between the natural materials and every design element. We’ve worked hard to ensure harmony in every aspect — from the organic wooden surfaces to the tailor-made furniture. The life and character of the space come out in all the little, nearly invisible details, each supporting the overall atmosphere of timeless quality.
How do you bring sustainability and long-lastingness into your projects?
AA: Sustainability is a core value in our design process. We focus on choosing solid materials that are durable and environmentally friendly in their origin and manufacture. We partner with local artisans and craftspeople to be involved with the production process and support Danish craftsmanship so it doesn’t die out. Through our projects, we attempt to offer our version of a timeless aesthetic that transcends temporary fashions and remains relevant in a world where things are replaced much too frequently.
Bringing a place to life
Harmonious interior design caters to a spectrum of human needs — from physical comfort to emotional and social fulfilment — creating environments that respect the varied ways people live, work, and connect. A balanced approach, integrating well-crafted furniture, transforms a space into an energising sanctuary, blending connection and solitude.
Uncover the stories behind these inspiring spaces — featuring insights from the architects and designers who bring them to life.
1 of 5