Viborg Cathedral School

Light in perfect balance at this historic Danish school

Perfectly balanced light. That’s what was needed for Viborg Cathedral School – one of the last buildings designed by Danish neoclassical architect Hack Kampmann.

Round Louis Poulsen ceiling lights illuminate a classroom with red walls, boards and rows of desks. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

Viborg Katedralskole

Category: Education
Location: Viborg, Denmark
Architects: Kjaer & Richter
Photographer: Martin Sølyst

Two AJ Eklipta Wall Lamp wall lights glow in a grey stairwell with white balustrades and wooden steps. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

The interior

of this listed building is characterised by its long hallways and high arched ceilings.

LP Slim Round Surface Mounted ceiling lights illuminate a classroom with timber slats, tables and a red floor. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

At the same time

it is a working school requiring appropriate light for learning, and flexibility for everyday use.

LP Slim Round surface-mounted lights illuminate a bright classroom with green walls and white desks. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

Louis Poulsen worked with architects Kjaer & Richter as part of a major renovation of the school. The lighting needed to be functional yet also beautiful, classic yet also modern. It needed to be optimised to support wellbeing and learning, while also doing justice to the unique architectural setting. And of course, it needed to be high quality and long lasting.

AJ Eklipta Wall Lamps light a curved stairwell with wooden steps and a traditional banister. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

AJ Eklipta wall fittings and

A VL 45 Radiohus Pendant in opal glass glows above a bust in a classical room at Viborg Cathedral School. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

Wohlert pendants

illuminate the school’s hallways and stairwells, exuding harmony and balance in these high-ceilinged spaces.

White PH 5 pendants light a library reading room lined with tall bookshelves and long study tables. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

For the library, PH 5-4½ and PH 6½-6 pendants were chosen – a classic design that fits the setting perfectly. The pleasant, glare-free light has given this space a lift, and made it more suitable for hosting events.

LP Circle fittings are used in both semi-recessed and suspended versions, as well as LP Grand Suspended.

Black LP Grand suspended lights illuminate a blue-walled classroom with wooden tables and a parquet floor. © 2026 Louis Poulsen.

Outside areas are lit by Toldbod posts and bollards.

The lighting here is not only beautiful in itself, but serves to enhance the impression of the school as a whole.