THE CLIMATE CENTRE DAZZLING DENMARK
22 Jul 2021
Situated in the Lemvig harbour on Denmark’s West Coast sits The Klimatorium, which will act as the country’s international climate centre.
The brainchild of landscape architect SLA and executed by the architecture firm 3XN, the centre’s features are notably formed around a wooden wave-like piece to pay homage to the port’s heritage. The deep brown’s of aged wood are surrounded by black accents and modern pieces to create a visionary collision of old history and new design.
The centre will focus efforts that will include research and work in climate, storm surges, and water research, with the structure, also equipped to endure floods with defences embedded in its design. Despite being far from the capital, the two-story structure is a significant centrepiece to the town that presents an innovative, modern, and functional space commissioned by the council that will surely see many visitors. 
The lower level surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass panelling contains a reception area, cafe, and exhibition space- which is currently occupied by ‘Climate Without Borders’. This in turn makes for a two-way effect allowing for internal views of the centre’s happenings, and external sights of the picturesque water and landscape. The space also accommodates offices, meeting rooms, and common areas.
The wood panelling wraps around the curves of the building in brown tones and black-stained wood and fills the interior with white tones creating a unified design that plays on the naturally occurring light around the building. The architecture has also managed to grant visitors access to the sea with an adjoining jetty that doubles as a leisure space and event space on the water’s edge. 
The site has already garnered much regard, winning the building of the year award 2020 in Denmark’s Årets Byggeri awards. Lars Holmgaard, the Klimatorium’s CEO, said of the site:
“It’s a building that’s close to nature – even when you’re inside, you feel the interaction with nature and the ocean. The wave structure has been even more valuable than we could imagine. People have really embraced it as a place to sit and relax.”
Images via Adam Mørk for ArchDaily
