J. Mayer H. Architekten
Cumulus
Danfoss Universe
Nordborg, Denmark
"Communicating between ground and sky, the Danfoss Project can be seen as landscape formations.”
Juergen Mayer H.
Photo: arcspace
Danfoss Universe is a 5.5 hectar science museum park embedded in the agricultural landscape of Nordborg, next to the founder’s home and the Danfoss HQ. Here children and adults gain knowledge through games and learn about the forces of nature, the world of science, and new technologies.
The two new additions to the park, the Cumulus exhibition building (curiosity center) and a cafeteria (food factory), extends the park into the winter months by enclosing spaces for exhibitions and scientific experiments.
The Cumulus exhibition building’s cloud-like roofscape, thus the name, is repeated in the cafeteria building.
Photo courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
The new buildings, with their metallic facades and tar roofs, rise up from the ground and provide spaces which articulate the fusion of outdoor landscape and indoor exhibition. This active ground modulates according to program and location in the park.
The endpoints of the buildings blur the line between building and park by offering inside-out spaces as display areas and projection surfaces related to the temporary exhibitions inside.
Photo courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Photo: arcspace
Photo courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
The interior of the Cumulus building is kept in black and white, the only accents being the red cushions on the stairs and the exhibition props.
Photo: Vegar Moen
Photo courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Photo: Vegar Moen
Photo courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
The Cumulus opening exhibition “Bitland” offer visitors of all ages the chance to use, try and test the digital technology we use every day. Interaction is visualized via two large projection walls. A pair of Vista Systems Spyders control four Panasonic projectors and permit edge blending of imagery.
Photo courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Photo: Vegar Moen
When you enter “Bitland” you also enter a digital world. Here you can use your ticket as a digital carrier bag. Everything you create at the exhibition will be stored as digital codes - so you can take it with you an see it again when you get home.
In different places in the exhibition you can create your own sounds, images or animations and save them on your ticket. You may record a sound or an image in one place which you use to make exciting things in other places at the exhibition. After your visit you can go to Danfoss Universe and save all of your stuff to your own computer by entering the number on your ticket.
Truly amazing....
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
The park features inspiring technology, exciting machines and fun activities based on refrigeration, heat and movement - Danfoss‘s core competencies.
The very first building in the park, that opened in May 2005, was a giant blue cube with water running down the exterior walls and an artificial geyser in the center. The cube was the Icelandic Pavilion at the Hannover 2000 World Fair.
Photo: Vegar Moen
Photo: arcspace
Danfoss Universe is open all days of the week all year round.
Drawing courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Site Plan
Drawing courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Cumulus (curiosity center) Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Cumulus (curiosity center) Section
Drawing courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Cumulus (curiosity center)
Drawing courtesy: J. Mayer H. Architekten
Cafeteria (food factory)
Cumulus (curiosity center): 1,200 square meters
Cafeteria. 500 square meters
Completed: 2007
Client: Danfoss Universe, Nordborg, Denmark
Architect: J. Mayer H. Architects
Project Team:
Juergen Mayer H
Marcus Blum
Thorsten Blatter
Andre Santer
Alessandra Raponi
Architect on Site: Hallen & Nordby (Danish only - sorry).
Technical consultants: Carl Bro
February 11, 2008