Craftsmanship In Every Detail

Craftsmanship in Every Detail: Aalborg Police Headquarters

In architecture, true quality often reveals itself in the details. At Aalborg Police Headquarters, that quality is reflected underfoot in a carefully crafted Merbau floor where precision and patience come together in a single, circular design.

Hørning was selected to supply the flooring for the building’s distinctive entrance area. The design required planks to meet precisely at the centre of a circle, creating a geometric pattern that demanded both technical skill and attention to detail.

For workshop foreman Claus Hansen, this project was an exercise in precision. Each board had to be measured, cut and fitted to match the calculated diameter perfectly. “You don’t get a second chance with a design like this,” he recalls. “Every measurement has to be exact, or the pattern won’t align. When everything fits, the result feels balanced and calm.”

The Merbau floor adds warmth and structure to the room. Its rich reddish tones and subtle variations give depth to the space, complementing the building’s clean architectural expression.

A Dialogue Between Old and New

Originally designed by Alex Poulsen Arkitekter (APA) in 1966, Aalborg Police Headquarters is a fine example of Danish functional modernism with concrete facades and simple, linear detailing. When APA led the renovation in 1998, the aim was to connect the existing structure with a new, glass-fronted extension that would bring more light and openness to the complex.

A stainless steel wall now marks the transition between the old and new buildings, while the new administration wing stands as a sharp monolith in polished black African granite. Inside, the warmth of the wooden flooring softens the overall expression, creating a natural balance between material and form.

Precision as a Tradition

For Hørning, the project represents the kind of craftsmanship that has defined the company for a century. Every board was made and installed with the same care and accuracy that has become a hallmark of our work.

The floor at Aalborg Police Headquarters is a quiet example of how technical precision and natural materials can work together to support architecture that lasts.