Design and interior of canteen at Gorm Envision
From Wasteland to Gathering Place
Gorm & Envision is a creative agency in the heart of Aarhus. When they set out to renovate their building, the goal was to turn the canteen into a space that could be used all day long—not just at lunch.
“When we started the renovation project for our building, we initially had another supplier in mind, but Retail Fabrikken impressed us from the first meeting. Their commitment, creative solutions, and ability to think outside the box quickly set them apart. We were blown away by their vision and the visual level they presented—all within our budget.”
Concept & Needs Assessment
The client wanted a canteen that felt like a small restaurant—warm materials and flexible use. The space shouldn’t lose its soul; instead, it should be elevated so that it becomes a natural part of daily life and somewhere people want to linger. It had to be lively yet modern and inspiring. It was also important that the room could be divided into zones to allow several meetings to take place simultaneously.
Design & Planning
The design was based on the building’s original character, combined with modern acoustic solutions, flexible furnishings, and a warm, relaxed atmosphere. The layout created zones for both communal activity and focused work, with all the details coming together in a cohesive whole. By adding a series of curtains, we enabled the space to be subdivided into smaller rooms, allowing parallel activities to take place.
The Finished Solution
Today the canteen is a vibrant, active space. Employees use it as a workspace, meeting zone, and gathering place.
“Before the project, the canteen was used for only about an hour and a half a day. Now it’s a living room that’s used all day long—both as a workspace with zones that invite productivity, and as a venue for social events. The acoustics have also been perfected, making online meetings possible and compensating for our lack of meeting rooms with the space’s flexibility.”
