CF Møller

Two years ago Danish practice C.F. Møller tried to solve its cash-flow problems with an eightfold increase in share capital. Last year’s expected $1 million profit — partly a result of $40 million fee income — suggest the calculated risk is working.

CEO Lars Kirkegaard admitted times had been tough but said: “The group has strengthened the capital resources of the company for the sake of future growth, especially abroad, and the company’s profile and profitability is undergoing a positive development.”

Before the recession hit, half the Århus-based firm’s work came from abroad, but this had shrunk to 37% by 2009. Now there are signs that the trend is reversing: turnover in the company’s overseas outposts is once again rising and in 2010 it won a number of significant international competitions.

It is masterplanning a 70,000sq m housing district, Lindholm, in Gothenburg, Sweden, including a 22-storey tower. And it is designing an opera house and cultural centre in the Norwegian city of Kristiansund. It was originally appointed to this in collaboration with Brisac Gonzalez and Space Group but was later chosen to execute the project alone.