The collection, begun in the 1960s when the shirt manufacturer Aage Damgaard invited artists to work in Herning, includes the largest collection of works by Italian conceptual artist Piero Manzoni, whom Damgaard especially revered. The art was exhibited for over 30 years in the Angli shirt factory, but eventually the museum’s board, the town of Herning and private sponsors decided on a new building. The winning design by Steven Holl Architects from 2005 reflects the genius loci in many respects.


The one-storey white structure lies on a hill between an industrial estate and expressways, in heterogeneous, lightly developed surroundings near the former Angli factory and a single-family home by Jørn Utzon.


Embedded in a newly formed topography, the museum is married with its setting: the four “arms” of the structure spread out into the surroundings, while grass-covered berms extend the building’s geometry, connecting architecture and landscape.


A walk around the structure reveals surprising changes in view, sight line, and arrangement. Its sculptural quality is intensified by the play of light and shadow.
Though not obvious in situ, the basic design concept becomes apparent in model photographs. Five strips of roof segment are arranged and laid over one another like shirtsleeves.