Developing a paradise for the curious

Danfoss Universe is Danfoss’ science and experience park in Nordborg on the island of Als.

The park was officially opened on 5th May 2005 at 5 minutes past 5 in the morning (i.e. 05.05.05 at 05.05) giving the curious of all ages their first taste of this scientific paradise – something very much in keeping with the spirit of Danfoss' founder Mads Clausen. The purpose of the park is to stimulate interest in science among schoolchildren, based on heat, water and motion.
MT Højgaard undertook the majority of the building work using unique construction methods and unconventional forms.

Inverted roof tiles

In May 2007, several additional new buildings designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer were opened. And once again MT Højgaard was closely involved.
Practically everything in the new buildings is specially manufactured and virtually nothing is based on standard solutions. The buildings evidence Jürgen Mayer's strikingly unorthodox approach. In some places the roof tiles are turned upside down, which naturally required new and different construction methods.

Inspired by children's drawings

Jürgen Mayer found his inspiration in children's drawings of clouds. The form of the roof looks like the outline of a cloud. He also made each of the giant windows a different size, so consequently each window frame needed to be custom-made.

Perfect partnering

The scientific universe we have built for Danfoss has been prepared as a display case for the market's very latest technologies. Consequently many changes were necessary during the building process.

The project developed and changed quite considerably along the way, so a great deal of patience and trust was necessary between the parties.

Danfoss Universe has been built on a partnering basis with shared objectives, one of which was to create something unique which would probably not have been possible using a conventional contract model.