Natural Science Center Nominated for Mies van der Rohe Award

The <a href="http://www.naturvidenskaberneshus.dk/forside.aspx" target="_blank">Natural Science Center</a> in Bjerringbro was constructed in 2009 as an educational facility to inspire students in Denmark in the fields of science and engineering. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/10/28/candy-colored-copenhagen-pavilion-made-of-reclaimed-plexiglass/" target="_blank">Copenhagen</a>-based <a href="http://www.nord-web.dk/projects/0623_Naturvidenskabernes_hus.asp" target="_blank">NORD Architects</a> designed the cylindrical science center with sustainability in mind, and it takes advantage of natural daylighting and rainwater collection. The project was recently honored by the <a href="http://www.worldarchitecture.org/main/winners.asp" target="_blank">World Architecture Community</a> and it was also nominated for a 2011 <a href="http://www.miesbcn.com/en/award.html" target="_blank">Mies van der Rohe Award</a>, which recognizes exceptional architecture in Europe.

NORD Architects won the award to design the Natural Science Center in 2007 and completed the building in 2009.

Since then it has been awarded a prize from the World Architecture Community and nominated for the 2011 Mies van der Rohe Award.

Every two years, the Mies van der Rohe Award is granted by the European Union and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona to recognize quality architecture in Europe and stimulate the progression of the architectural profession.

The Natural Science Center was designed to help inspire Danish students in the fields of science and engineering, and it provides a place for educational programs.

The center includes laboratories, classrooms, lecture halls and lots of flexible open space to conduct experiments and run tests.

The building was constructed to be practical and flexible so that it could adapt over time for different educational needs.

The concrete interior is practical and cleans up easy, and as NORD says, ‘if a future scientists needs to make a hole in the concrete floor to carry out his experiment, it is quite all right'.

The exterior of the cylindrical building is clad in u-glass profiles that change character when weather and light conditions change.

Daylighting, energy-efficient windows, and rainwater collection are included in the center's sustainable design strategy.

An open-floor layout provides flexible space for any number of activities.

Cut-outs, terraces, and other variously sized spaces encourage students and children to explore the environment.

The building was designed to help foster and inspire students' interest in science, engineering and the environment.

Johannes Pedersen, partner at Nord Architects Copenhagen explains: "The idea behind the Natural Science Center is to make young people interested in natural science and pursue a career within that field. Natural Science is about exploring and asking questions, so we wanted to design a building that made them do just that."