The city of Esbjerg has selected Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter through a competition to extend and refurbish the Wadden Sea Center in Vester Vedsted. A UNESCO World Heritage area, the Wadden Sea is Denmark’s largest National park. The new center aims to “create awareness and understanding for the marshland and the Wadden Sea,” as jury member and leader of the center Klaus Melbye explains. “The architecture is sustainable, visionary and bold and brings forth the Centre as an didactic information centre of the future.”
More about Dorte Mandrup’s winning design, after the break.
Planned from completion in July of 2016, Dorte Mandrup’s winning proposal is a unique interpretation of local building tradition and the rural farmhouse typology. Using materials prevalent in the region, the building will be constructed with thatched roofs and facades.
”We are very grateful to be given the chance to create the architectural framework for the Wadden Sea Centre. It has been essential to create a building complex that relates specifically to the particular landscape and at the same time carry traditional building techniques into a contemporary expression.
"Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter always seeks to enhance and utilize the inherent characteristics of the specific site. We hope that we will accomplish adding value and unique qualities to the local area by creating a robust and beautiful building that will inspire and encourage the exploration of the region,” says Dorte Mandrup.
The new extension is approximately 1000 square meters. Additional buildings for educational purposes will include an area of 600 square meters.
Competition
Wadden Sea CentreAward
First PrizeArchitects
Location
Danish Wadden Sea Islands, 6760 Esbjerg Municipality, DenmarkClient
City of EsbjergLandscape Architect
A/S Marianne Levinsen LandscapeEngineers
Steensen & Varming, Anders Christensen ApsArea
1600.0 m2Project Year
2016Photographs
Courtesy of Dorte Mandrup ArkitekterArchitects
