COBE plans new Science Centre in Sweden
Danish architects COBE are planning a CO2-neutral museum focusing primarily on science. The new Science Centre will be situated in the Swedish university city of Lund.
Architecture company COBE has won an international design competition for a new science museum in Lund. The Science Centre will have a unique location at the heart of the new Science Village Scandinavia district in the Swedish university city. Lund is known for its strong international research environment and vibrant cultural scene. Its rich historical heritage goes back as far as the tenth century.
Plans for the new museum were announced recently at a major event as part of Almedalen Week. Every summer, representatives from the realms of politics, business and NGOs traditionally come together. They spend a week on the Swedish island of Gotland discussing and developing plans, visions and targets for society.
The Science Centre is to be built out of wood and, according to the information provided, will be entirely CO2-neutral. It has the potential to become a future icon of sustainability.
Science Centre: a new landmark for the region
The new district is already home to high-tech institute ESS (European Spallation Source) and MAX IV. Currently under construction, these will be the world’s most powerful and state-of-the-art research facilities for neutron and x-ray research.
As well as this, the Science Centre will be committed to promoting public interest in science and research. It will host permanent and temporary exhibitions, public lectures, and interesting and fun events. The Centre will also serve as an inviting cultural landmark for the region as a whole.
As a two-storey building with total floor space of 6,000 m², the Science Centre will contain exhibition halls, a gallery, a reception area, workshops, a museum shop, a restaurant, offices and an auditorium. Its official opening is scheduled for 2024.
Sustainability and climate-friendly solutions were central concerns throughout the entire process, both during planning and construction and in the selection of materials.
Entire roof panelled with solar cells
The declared aim is for the Science Centre as a whole to be a very climate-friendly building and a symbol for sustainability and durability. Prefabricated cross-laminated timber will be used as the main material.
The concave roof, which serves as a terrace and observation platform, is also designed to generate solar energy in a large energy park. The entire surface – 1,600 m² in all – will be covered with solar cells, producing enough power to meet the museum’s own needs. There will also be energy bicycles on the roof, which visitors can operate themselves.
A large, round, publicly accessible atrium will be intersected by a green path. Carefully selected plants, flowers and trees will attract insects that promote biodiversity and help to absorb CO2. The path will connect the museum with two nearby parks. Both the atrium and the “green path” will also act as water reservoirs and overflow channels in the event of extreme rainfall.
As architects, we hope that we will continue to improve our ability to plan and build sustainably – for future generations and in the interests of protecting the planet.
Dan Stubbergaard, architect and founder of COBE
Architect and COBE founder Dan Stubbergaard is truly satisfied: “We set the bar extremely high when designing the museum. We feel that we have succeeded in creating a unique and inviting building. Its open atrium and concave roof exude elegance as well as offering a number of innovative, practical possibilities for a museum.”
COBE is an innovative community of architects who focus on architecture and design – from private buildings and public spaces to large-scale urban planning.
Text: Linda Benkö
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Designs: COBE