The House of Science

Location: Bjerringbro, Denmark
Client: The House of Science Foundation
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Thomas Kock, Michelle Nielsen-Dharmaratne, Signe Høyer Frederiksen, Salka Kusk, Flemming Rafn Thomsen, Jesper José
Collaborators: CEBRA
Design phase: 2006
Area: 3,2 ha.

The aim is to create a place that invites exploration and wonder. A place that contains great diversity and possibilities for experiences and experiments. A place where the visitors are active participants and gain insight in the scientific universe. Forms, figures and symbols from the pallet of the natural sciences and the basic elements earth, fire, water and air are used in a variety of ways. The park consists of a large continuous surface, where natural elements float freely in space and create different spatial experiences. It is a park space with room for experimenting. A place where high-tech instruments and technology meet the more low-tech fundamental and basic.

The building is seen as one of the game board pieces on an even footing with the other elements. Each point is an experience and worthy of a visit. Lamas, flamingos, sheep and frogs move freely about in the park and their grazing helps maintain the park in a natural way. Earth formations form orientation points in the form of mountains. They can be used for astronomical investigations or provide the setting for amphitheatre or outdoor learning. One of these has an eternally burning flame that spans from fire to vapour. Another contains an analogue parabolic dish.

At ground level park ‘nature’ and hard surfacing flows organically like a river delta in and out among each other. The hard surfacing encompasses a board of knowledge and the six water biotopes regulate microclimate and provide habitat for insect life. Wind mills, wimples and parabolic dishes are measuring instruments in the park. They measure wind and weather and generate energy and heat. Lighting columns and runway lights in the surfacing are gathered in a cluster – a cloud of stars – and light up at night. The ‘star-cloud’ is enhanced by mist from underground spouts. The park will reflect the processes of nature and will be in a constant state of flux, influenced by the experiments of the users, weather conditions and the grazing of the animals. A database where new knowledge is gathered and develops.