瓦登海世界遗产中心丨荷兰丨Dorte Mandrup

Architects:Dorte Mandrup

Photographs:Adam Mørk

Interior Architect:Spring Studio

Landscape Architect:LAOS landscape urbanism

Category:Learning,Research Center

Local Architect:De Architecten van Team 4

Client:Stichting Werelderfgoedcentrum Waddenzee

Engineer:ABT Wassenaar

Exhibition Architecture:Northern Light

City:Lauwersoog

Country:The Netherlands

Text description provided by the architects. Danish architecture studio Dorte Mandrup creates a 360-degree experience of the landscape with the completion of their second out of three projects at the UNESCO-protected Wadden Sea area. Functioning as both exhibition space and working field station, the new Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre in Lauwersoog, Netherlands, aims to foster a deeper, more personal connection to this important ecosystem.

Formed 12.000 years ago, the Wadden Sea area is a constantly changing ecosystem and home to more than 10.000 species of plants and animals – from microscopic life to seals and porpoises. It is the largest coherent intertidal sand and mudflat system in the world, extending along the coast of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. And on a global scale, biodiversity is highly reliant on this unique natural world heritage. Designed by Dorte Mandrup, the new Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre in Lauwersoog aims to raise awareness of the dynamics between humans and nature, actively working towards a more balanced relationship.

Ascending from the harbour, the building adds a unique, yet subtle landmark to the Dutch seaside village, located between the expanses of Wadden Sea and the calm, brackish water of the Lauwersmeer. Inspired by the movement of the tide and subtly referencing the historic maritime surroundings, the building is designed as a spiralling movement upwards and around, ensuring a unique 360-degree experience of the surrounding landscape and the harbour.

"Lauwersoog is in many ways a place of transition. Between the fresh water of the Lauwersmeer and the wide expanses of the Wadden Sea. Between the human activity of the harbour and the natural environment surrounding it. This inspired the idea of creating a 360-degree experience, highlighting the meeting between these elements.  At the same time, the building can be regarded as a homage to its maritime context with abstract references to the elements of the harbour: the pier, the boardwalk, and the rhythm of the mooring poles." says Kasper Pilemand, Partner & Head of Projects at Dorte Mandrup.

The wooden façade provides a warm and inviting gesture. Naturally weathered by the saline environment, the wood will gain a silver-grey patina, evoking the character of the harbour's wooden structures which are worn by salt, wind, and time. The exterior solar screen consists of upcycled Basralocus hardwood sourced from a former military harbour in Kiel. 203 mooring posts have been pulled, cleaned, processed, and mounted to form the building's unique canopy. These reclaimed elements provide both solar shading and filtered views of the activities inside.

A living, learning, and working field station   Unlike a conventional museum or exhibition space, the Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre is envisioned as a dynamic hub. A place where visitors, researchers, volunteers, students, and conservationists will meet and share knowledge. Visitors will be able to experience research and rehabilitation work in real time, observing seals undergoing treatment and surgeries, and scientists studying the life and fauna in and around the Wadden Sea through glass openings to the laboratories in the exhibition.

The journey through the Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre unfolds gradually. It begins at a gently sloping harbour-side path and continues through the open reception hall.  From here, visitors ascend gradually through the exhibition. In the seal wing, the exhibition culminates with impressive insights into the care and rehabilitation of the rescued seals – from intensive care and recovery to their last days before being returned to the sea.  The journey ends on the roof terrace with undisturbed views of the surrounding landscape.

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