It is with sorrow and deep sadness that we share the immensely tragic news of the loss of our deeply respected colleague and friend, Sten Ostenfeld. Sten had been battling an illness that ultimately proved incurable, and he passed away peacefully in the morning hours of December 31, 2023.

Sten was not only a dedicated colleague but also a warm-hearted individual who enriched our lives and work environment in countless ways — with humor and with guidance when needed. Throughout his entire career, Sten worked with absolute loyalty for Alex Poulsen Architects A/S and the clients the firm collaborated with. His contributions were invaluable, and we are eternally grateful for his unmatched dedication and professionalism.

Sten began his career as an architect and client advisor at Alex Poulsen Architects in 1977, where he took on numerous projects, focusing on safety and functionality. His dedication helped raise the standards of prison construction, both in Denmark and abroad. In Denmark, Enner Mark Prison and Storstrøm Prison stand as the most notable testaments to Sten's tireless work as a client advisor, never shying away from a discussion if it could raise the standard.

In addition to providing top-level client advisory services, Sten was also a partner and CEO of Alex Poulsen Architects. In 2008, Sten became a partner and CEO when he, along with others, took over the firm from Tom and Ulrik Poulsen, sons of Alex Poulsen. He served multiple terms as CEO until he stepped down as partner in 2016, passing the company on to the next generation.

We—the next generation—have had the great pleasure of calling Sten our mentor and encyclopedia on client advisory, construction techniques, financial management, and prison architecture, among other topics. Sten’s generosity and willingness to share his knowledge have been a source of inspiration to all of us. Now, we must carry forward what Sten taught us and remember to pass on our own experiences to those eager to learn—just as Sten did for us.

Our thoughts are with Sten’s family during this difficult time. We share in the grief over the loss of an exceptional person who leaves an indelible mark.

Sten’s memorial service will take place on January 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Chapel of Skansekirkegården, Skansevej 113, Hillerød.

May Sten’s memory be honored.