It began with a collection of old windows and an idea: to save the windows and their many stories before they disappeared and were forgotten. Today, the VILLUM Window Collection has become an internationally recognised museum with a permanent exhibition, changing special exhibitions, research projects and partners around the world.
VILLUM Window Collections’ permanent exhibition tells the story of windows, their development and their importance for people’s access to light, air and views. This is done through a time tunnel, where visitors are guided through the history of windows in different rooms that showcase light through a series of historical windows – from the Iron Age lyre hole to today’s climate-friendly and intelligent windows.
A unique collection
Visitors can also explore various themes related to windows, such as windows in architecture, window mechanisms and materials. There is also access to the museum’s unique collection of windows from different eras, organised in a storage wall based on a chronological and stylistic division.
The collection contains approximately 300 historical windows from the 17th century to the present day. The exhibition is unique in virtue of its extensive physical collection of technical, craftsmanship and stylistic examples of the development of the window.
Changing special exhibitions
The museum also offers changing special exhibitions, including Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas’ ‘Wall of Windows from The Brooking’, a unique window wall consisting of 68 historical windows that was part of the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2014.
The museum works closely with The Window Research Institute in Tokyo, Japan, which has contributed to several special exhibitions at the museum based on Professor Yoshiharu Tsukamoto’s studies of the role of windows in architecture and their significance for our behaviour in a wide range of countries, including the Nordic countries.
VILLUM Window Collection
Maskinvej 4
2860 Søborg
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11:00 – 17:00
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00
Opening hours are subject to change. Please visit the museum’s website for more information.
Admission to the museum is free.
There may be an admission fee for certain events and activities at the museum.
The VILLUM Window Collection’s permanent exhibition offers a unique insight into the development of windows through an exciting time tunnel with historical rooms and original windows from the Renaissance onwards. In addition, there are changing special exhibitions and, not least, an impressive magazine wall where visitors can explore more than 60 different windows from different eras, based on a chronological and stylistic division of the window collection.
The museum regularly holds various events, such as Window Walks and Window Talks, which are aimed at anyone interested in cultural history, craftsmanship, daylight or architecture. You can keep up to date with current events on our website.
The museum welcomes many groups to the museum, including students of architecture and other construction-related disciplines, as well as Danes and foreigners with an interest in art and culture. They offer guided tours for groups of at least six people on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. In addition, there is a regular guided tour in Danish every Thursday at 3 p.m., which is open to anyone who wishes to attend. Admission to the museum and guided tours is free.
VILLUM Window Collection has a growing art collection that includes both paintings and photographs, classical and modern works. What they all have in common is that the window is part of the motif. The window as a motif recurs in both older and modern art. Firstly, because this is where light enters and creates striking light and shadow effects, and secondly because looking in and out of windows has strong symbolic meanings. Selected works are exhibited in the VILLUM Window Collection gallery.
The VILLUM Window Collection is named after civil engineer Villum Kann Rasmussen, who founded the VKR Group in 1941 and developed the VELUX skylight in 1942. The collection and exhibition are housed at Maskinvej 4 in Søborg, the former headquarters of the VKR Group. The production halls are VELKIN halls, developed by Villum Kann Rasmussen. VELFAC façade windows, accessories for VELUX roof windows and other products were previously manufactured here. The VILLUM Window Collection is a privately owned museum belonging to the VKR Holding company.