Julius Nielsen’s timber sanctuary in Copenhagen makes use of Dinesen Douglas fir to create a modest but enduring community space.

Photos
Kim Høltermand, Hampus Berndtson

Danish architect Julius Nielsen has completed Tiny Church Tolvkanten, a twelve-sided timber sanctuary in Copenhagen’s North Harbour district. The 75-square-metre building was the winning entry in a 2023 design competition organised by Hans Egedes Parish and the Church Foundation, which attracted more than 100 submissions.

Constructed entirely from wood, the project explores how form, daylight and material can shape a sacred environment without recourse to traditional religious iconography. Its verified life-cycle assessment of 2.8kg CO₂e/m²/year has led to it being recognised as the second most sustainable building in Denmark.

The church is raised on 17 screw piles, avoiding excavation and minimising its ground impact. Its modular design enables future relocation, while the non-directional plan allows the space to be used for worship, concerts, communal meals, and other gatherings.

Lining the interior and forming the floors, altar and font is Dinesen Douglas fir. Boards of varying widths and lengths were selected to optimise material efficiency, with offcuts reused for skirtings and door reveals. Flooring has been laid in a radial pattern that draws the eye towards a central skylight framed in the same timber, providing a focus of natural light.

Furniture designed by Julius Nielsen OFFICE and manufactured by Danish workshop Rammelisten reinforces the crafted approach. Both the altar table and baptismal font are foldable and finished in oiled Douglas fir, contrasting with the whitewashed floorboards.

Although constrained by budget, the project placed emphasis on material quality, community engagement and careful detailing. For Dinesen, the collaboration continues a tradition of involvement in ecclesiastical projects that includes work on Nygårdskirken in the 1960s, as well as interiors for the Church of Our Saviour and Christiansborg Palace Chapel.

“Tiny Church Tolvkanten blends modest scale with meticulous attention to detail,” said architect Julius Nielsen. “Unlike traditional churches that use symbols and sacred images, this sanctuary looks inward. Its sacred essence is instead derived from the architecture, carefully chosen materials, and the gentle filtering of daylight. The high-quality Douglas fir floor, with its thoughtfully positioned boards and rich textures, creates a warm and resonant atmosphere, imbuing the space with depth.”

“Dinesen has a long-standing tradition of contributing to Denmark’s sacred interiors,” added Hans Peter Dinesen, the company’s brand director and fifth-generation family member. “My grandfather’s motto was ‘Preserve Denmark’s history,’ and for us, it’s meant crafting wood interiors for castles, manors, and churches—from the Church of Our Saviour to Christiansborg Palace Chapel. With Tiny Church Tolvkanten, we continue this legacy—bridging tradition and innovation.”

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