on the coastline of malmo, sweden, nord architects has realized a marine education center that explores sustainability, the effects of climate change and mankind’s impact on the environment, all under one roof. the copenhagen-based architects, who were first commissioned to undertake the project after winning a competition in 2014, have designed the building to blur the line between architecture and landscape, creating a seamless transition from coast to sea.



a building that brings visitors closer to hands-on experiences with marine life and sustainability

all images by adam mørk, courtesy of nord architects

‘with the changing climate, rising oceans and increased severity of cloudbursts, there is a need more than ever to understand the profound influence that marine life and the oceans have on our lives. and the profound impact that people have on the life in oceans’, says johannes molander pedersen, partner at nord architects. as articulated by pedersen, the new building is conceived to promote knowledge, awareness, and responsibility of citizens, businesses and decision makers. the institute welcomes everyone, from school classes to families on tour, and thanks to collaboration with universities and research institutes, the center seeks to be continuously innovative.

the center is open for everyone who is interested in the role we as humans play in nature’s lifecycle

the building is designed to be highly flexible, allowing spaces to be adapted over time as requirements change and new technologies emerge. under the large, unifying roof visitors are invited to take part in a variety of experiments and experience a number of exhibitions that focus on marine life. with its close relationship to the sea, the new architectural intervention blends with the external environment and this can be seen as the spaces alternate between indoor and outdoor activities.

the new center blurs the line between architecture and landscape, creating a smooth transition from coast to sea

in addition to promoting greater awareness of sustainable issues, the building is also designed with high aspirations of sustainability itself. technical installations, such as water handling and circulation, solar energy production and consumption and ventilation have all been incorporated and become part of the entire learning experience.

based on research and collaboration with universities and research institutes, the center seeks continuous innovation and learning

‘we have developed a learning landscape where education is everywhere. it is in the landscape, in the building and in the transition between nature and culture. the centre is open for everyone who is interested in the role we as humans play in nature’s life cycle. it allows hands on learning experience that invites users to explore using their senses in the field, and thereafter analyze and understand their observations of the marine life’, says johannes molander pedersen.

it allows hands on learning experiences that invites users to explore using their senses in the field, and thereafter analyze and understand their observations of the marine life

the building itself is promoting a sustainable approach and the roof expresses a performative combination of sustainable concepts and techniques

all technical installations like water handling, circulation, solar energy and ventilation were all on display in competition proposal and part of the total learning experience

flexible learning spaces under the unifying roof create an environment that alternates between indoor and outdoor

the performative roof that integrates solutions for a sustainable and genuine concept

flexible functions and learning spaces under the roof

functions and learning spaces floating under the roof

project info:

project name: malmo marine education center

location: malmo, sweden

architect: nord architects

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edited by: lynne myers | designboom