Danish architecture firm Dorte Mandrup has released design for the new Thy National Park Center which is hidden under the sand dunes and appears with big rabbit holes in Denmark. Named Thy National Park Center, Mandrup's proposal won the 2nd prize in a competition in Spring 2019.

The design scheme takes cues from windy coasts and sandy dune heaths in the region located along the Northwestern coast of Jutland, Denmark. Thy National Park spans 55 kilometers north to south along the Northwestern coast of Jutland. 

The sandy dune heaths of the area are a rare habitat in a European context, protected by law. It is a beautiful, but harsh, landscape, attracting tourists and researchers to the area year-round.

Mandrup's design is embedded in stunning landscape and acts as the extension of the existing landscape in which only appears with cut-out openings overlooking the nature. Mandrup's sand dunes allow nature to play the lead at this unique spot.

According to The Danish Environmental Protection Agency a Danish national park "holds some of Denmark's most unique and valuable nature areas and landscapes. These are areas of importance to the Danes, but they are also given and will receive international attention and significance."

The design is literally shaped by this unique and valuable surrounding landscape. An in situ cast of the actual sand dune shapes the large interior space allowing for nature to continue its growth on top of the building. 

"The structure is self-supporting, making space for flexible and undisturbed use of the exhibition- and educational spaces ensuring the building a long lifetime," said Dorte Mandrup.

"Three large excavations, or pits, convey the transition from outside to inside and allow the daylight to flow into the building."

The pits are dedicated to arrival, exhibition and leisure activities. They all offer shielded areas for outdoor activities such as picnics, barbequing, studying the surrounding nature, cleaning fish etc., in close connection with the building. 

From afar, the pits seem to merge into the existing landscape, but getting closer they unveil the unique interior of the National Park Center and bring curiosity to life.

Dorte Mandrup recently released its design for a Culture House and Library in Karlskrona, Sweden. The studio is currently working on Western Europe's tallest tower which will be designed for a fashion company BESTSELLER and built in Brande, a rural Danish town in the middle of Jutland.

Project facts

Partners: Tyréns, MASU Planning

Address: Nørre Vorupør, Denmark

Status: Competition Spring 2019, 2nd price

All images © Dorte Mandrup

> via Dorte Mandrup