Winning museum mostly under ground

DKK 1 million has been awarded to the top designs in a competition for a future Natural History Museum. First prize goes to a Danish design with an underground theme

by Christoffer Zieler and Sune Engel Rasmussen. English version by Luci Ellis

The winners for the idea contest to design the new Natural History Museum of Denmark have been found.

The top prize of DKK 300,000 was given to Danish architect Claus Haboesgaard Pryd’s subterranean design, which according to judge Malene Hauxner, is characterized by the interplay between old and new buildings.

Going underground

In Pryd’s project, the complex in Sølvgade would be located partially underground. The building would be deceptively small and unobtrusive from the outside, while the interior would open up a whole new, surprisingly roomy space.

The exterior would be constructed so that plants could grow up the sides, which would »break down the monumentality« of the Sølvgade complex,« according to Malene Hauxner.

Reclaimed brick

Second place was awarded to a project designed by Nicolai Bo Andersen. His red brick design, to be constructed in reclaimed materials, won him DKK 150,000.

The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Geological museum Thursday.

Going batty

Among the other award winning designs was a so-called 'bat tower', which would be located in the centre of a lake in the Botanical Gardens and would be a kind of trade mark for the museum.

A total of ten designs were awarded prizes. The competition had a total of 120 entrants.

See the film on the competition here (in Danish):

luci@adm.ku.dk

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