As the world transitions towards a climate crisis urgency, the building industry, amongst others, faces a large responsibility—to design and construct buildings that help fight climate change instead of furthering it. Copenhagen-based Henning Larsen responds to these challenges with a carbon negative extension to the Feldballe School in Rønde, Denmark. Built primarily with wood and straw, the school architecture is a scalable building that captures more carbon than it emits.
Aeriel view of the Feldballe School Extension Image: Rasmus Hjortshøj – COAST
The fact that the extension is built to host science classes for a generation growing up with the weight of the climate crisis forms the evident inspiration behind the material choices and sustainability of the design. The studio uses bio-based materials as superior alternatives to concrete, brick, and steel, as they are fire-safe, free of toxic chemicals, and boast efficient insulation to provide a comfortable indoor climate.
The extension is built to host science classes Image: Rasmus Hjortshøj – COAST
The studio also partnered with EcoCocon, a Danish philanthropic organisation, to engineer a panel system of compressed straw, a timber roof with solar panels, untreated plywood built-in furniture, and a ventilation system made of eelgrass—common seaweed found along seashores in the Northern Hemisphere.
The timber roof with solar panels Image: Rasmus Hjortshøj – COAST
The form of the building with spacious and high-ceiling rooms alleviates the need for ventilation ducts and suspended ceilings. It is also designed for easy disassembly and reassembly. This promotes flexibility and reuse while also creating circumstances for easy repair and reinstallation.
Concept sketch of the extension Image: Courtesy of Henning Larsen Concept sketch of the extension between existing structures Image: Courtesy of Henning Larsen
Danish architecture studio Henning Larsen expertly uses a natural