The Danish bureau COBE won the competition for the Science Center project: in 2024 it will open in the new Science Village Scandinavia, where the construction of two huge physics research centers is already underway: the MAX IV synchrotron radiation laboratory and the European Center for Matter Research (ESS). The second of them was also designed by COBE, and the same architects own the master plan of the area, so it makes sense to entrust them with the museum.
The museum will be built between MAX IV and ESS, and it will “explain” to adults and children what exactly scientists are doing in these institutions. The attention of pedestrians should immediately be attracted by its roof with a concave profile, where there was a place for an observation deck. But the main attraction is the museum's carbon neutrality: it will not emit CO2 during construction and operation.
This will be achieved, first of all, with the help of building materials: this is cross-glued wood, from which prefabricated parts will be made at the plant, that is, they will speed up and simplify construction (which will automatically make it "cleaner").
A green courtyard will be placed in the center of the building, which will support biodiversity in the city, and it and the green route passing through it will help collect rainwater so that it does not enter the city drain.
The roof, in addition to the exploited perimeter around the courtyard, will be covered with solar panels (1600 m2), and "energy" bicycles will also be installed there so that visitors can help the museum generate electricity. Heating for the 3500 m2 building will be provided by ESS through the ectogrid system.
The program of the two-story Science Center is quite traditional: a lobby, exhibition halls, workshops, auditorium, administration offices, a cafe and a museum store.
