3XN and SLA complete the Klimatorium

The Klimatorium, Denmark’s international climate centre in Lemvig, has now been completed. The new climate centre combines rustic and pragmatic architecture by 3XN with local nature design and integrated flood protection by SLA.

From the architect: The Klimatorium, Denmark’s international climate centre in Lemvig, opened on 9 December 2020. The architects are 3XN and SLA whose design is based on Lemvig’s historic boat-building facilities found in the spectacular natural scenery of the Limfjord and the strong communities of the port.

The Klimatorium offers an innovative and creative mini-hub for storm surge, water and climate research. Its open public facilities and recreational outdoor spaces also offer innovative opportunities to experience, sense and use the unique natural surroundings of Lemvig and the Limfjord.

A robust and inviting Klimatorium
The main architectural concept of the Klimatorium is pragmatic, and its materials have been kept in wood, concrete and steel. The symbol of the building is a wooden ‘wave’ that rises above the main entrance and makes the building an easily recognisable landmark. This motif is inspired by Lemvig’s characteristic fishing boats and is a tribute to the area's cultural history and local building customs.

“A key design element has been to create an inviting building with clear references to the function of the building as well as its location in the Port of Lemvig. The tiled wave made of wood gives the building a strong identity. Both inside and out, it becomes a gathering point and social meeting place for Klimatorium employees and guests as well as the people of Lemvig,” says Jan Ammundsen, architect and senior partner at 3XN.

The floating structure and use of glass gives the Klimatorium a distinct contemporary look. The building has two levels and has in terms of scale been adapted to fit in with the existing buildings in the port area. The first floor is surrounded by black-stained wooden slats, which give the building a simple and rustic look and protect it against direct sunlight.

Inside, the Klimatorium offers office spaces, meeting rooms, common areas and a publicly accessible café and exhibition area that focus on creating social synergies by encouraging users of the building to engage in different kinds of interaction, meetings and collaboration. Visual contact, a flexible framework, attractive meeting points, overlapping functions and activity-based design all contribute to reinforcing social relations within the building as well as promoting community and innovation.

Climate Corridor and flood protection
The Klimatorium highlights the development of the Port of Lemvig from commercial port to one of Denmark’s most impressive experience ports while the extensive and integrated flood protection of the port is finally completed.

Key to this is the project’s landscape and nature design: the Green Climate Corridor. The Climate Corridor is partly an ‘expo landscape’ for users of the Klimatorium and partly a public green urban space with a pleasant microclimate and diverse outdoor urban life options for everyone.

“We use the Climate Corridor to showcase the ways in which we can use nature-based design to climate-proof our cities, while adding a whole new layer of nature experiences and activities. The planting consists of hardy native species that thrive in salty coastal environments. The trees have been planted so that they break up the wind, optimise the microclimate and provide space for a number of activities such as a water playground, parkour and a multi-purpose sports court for roller skating, ball games and other activities. The flood defence is fully integrated into the urban space, so that it does not cut the sea off from the city, but on the contrary reinforces a connection with the water. This is done by using a multifunctional and fully accessible wooden jetty, which provides a leisure area and space for events and is integrated into the raw and natural stone setting, where children are able to paddle, climb and play and thereby get very close to the sea and the water,” says Karsten Thorlund, head of SLA Aarhus and project manager.

Architect: 3XN
Developer: Lemvig Vand & Spildevand og Lemvig Kommune
Location: Lemvig, Denmark
Year: 2021
Size: 1,600 sqm
Landscape architects: SLA
Engineering consultant: Orbicon

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