:Utzon Architects - Skagen Odde Nature Center : arcspace.com

Utzon Architects
Skagen Odde Nature Center
Skagen, Denmark

“A building must have a soul that corresponds to the mood you are in; be in tune with what you are doing”
Jørn Utzon

Photo: Kirsten Kiser

The Skagen Odde Nature Center, a museum for the natural elements, is situated in the open dune landscape on the northernmost tip of Denmark where the two oceans, Kattegat and Skagerak, meet.
The Center, planned after Utzons design from 1989, is a collaboration between Jørn Utzon and his son and partner Jan Utzon.
Considering that the sea and nature have been fundamental in Jørn Utzon’s work it seems natural to have selected the world renowned Danish architect to design a museum for the wind, the water, the light and the sand.

“The Desert Fortress”, as the Center has been named, appears as an enclosed fortress surrounded by a four meter tall brick wall. The simple brick wall has a calm appearance in the open dune landscape while at the same time offering protection from the harsh Skagen weather. The materials are subdued and few; gray concrete, gray plastered walls and black roofing felt.

Photo: Kirsten Kiser

From the entrance, a covered opening in the north wall, one enters the arrival area from where there is access to the permanent exhibitions in the separate pavilions.

Photo: Kirsten Kiser

The model on exhibit at the Nature Center

Photo: Kirsten Kiser

The scheme consists of small scale pavilions with pyramidal roofs topped by north oriented skylights that are formed like periscopes. Each pavilion is dedicated to an element, sand, water, wind and light.
There are small courtyards, reflecting pools, walkways, places to overlook the surrounding landscape and an atrium court where the landscape opens up for the viewer.

Photo courtesy Utzon Architects

Photo: Kirsten Kiser

From the balcony of the diagonally placed Café, a two-storey space, there is a wide view over the sand landscape that increases year after year.
The best view is from the top of the 10.5 meter tall Observation Tower where you are surrounded by the dune landscape containing the four elements that are part of Skagen’s special character; sand, water, wind and light.

“Skagen Odde Nature Center is a place in clear harmony with the landscape....a place for moods”.

Jørn Utzon, who received International recognition for the Sydney Opera House, lives on the island of Mallorca, Spain.

Client: Skagen Odde Nature Center
Area: 4,000 square meters
Year: 1999-2000
Utzon Architects
Jørn Utzon & Jan Utzon
Project Architects: Kim Holst
Decoration: Lin Utzon
Engineer: Peder Hays-Thøgersen
Landscape Architect: Kjeld Hansen
Contractor: NCC Byg A/S

Utzon arcspace features





				Features
		Utzon Architects Skagen Odde Nature Center Skagen, Denmark “A building must have a soul that corresponds to the mood you are in; be in tune with what you are doing” Jørn Utzon Photo: Kirsten Kiser The Skagen Odde Nature Center, a museum for the natural elements, is situated in the open dune landscape on the northernmost tip of Denmark where the two oceans, Kattegat and Skagerak, meet. The Center, planned after Utzons design from 1989, is a collaboration between Jørn Utzon and his son and partner Jan Utzon. Considering that the sea and nature have been fundamental in Jørn Utzon’s work it seems natural to have selected the world renowned Danish architect to design a museum for the wind, the water, the light and the sand. “The Desert Fortress”, as the Center has been named, appears as an enclosed fortress surrounded by a four meter tall brick wall. The simple brick wall has a calm appearance in the open dune landscape while at the same time offering protection from the harsh Skagen weather. The materials are subdued and few; gray concrete, gray plastered walls and black roofing felt. Photo: Kirsten Kiser From the entrance, a covered opening in the north wall, one enters the arrival area from where there is access to the permanent exhibitions in the separate pavilions. Photo: Kirsten Kiser The model on exhibit at the Nature Center Photo: Kirsten Kiser The scheme consists of small scale pavilions with pyramidal roofs topped by north oriented skylights that are formed like periscopes. Each pavilion is dedicated to an element, sand, water, wind and light. There are small courtyards, reflecting pools, walkways, places to overlook the surrounding landscape and an atrium court where the landscape opens up for the viewer. Photo courtesy Utzon Architects Photo: Kirsten Kiser Photo: Kirsten Kiser From the balcony of the diagonally placed Café, a two-storey space, there is a wide view over the sand landscape that increases year after year. The best view is from the top of the 10.5 meter tall Observation Tower where you are surrounded by the dune landscape containing the four elements that are part of Skagen’s special character; sand, water, wind and light. “Skagen Odde Nature Center is a place in clear harmony with the landscape....a place for moods”. Jørn Utzon, who received International recognition for the Sydney Opera House, lives on the island of Mallorca, Spain. Client: Skagen Odde Nature Center Area: 4,000 square meters Year: 1999-2000 Utzon Architects Jørn Utzon & Jan Utzon Project Architects: Kim Holst Decoration: Lin Utzon Engineer: Peder Hays-Thøgersen Landscape Architect: Kjeld Hansen Contractor: NCC Byg A/S Utzon arcspace features