Højer – gateway to Tøndermarsken Højer

GOAL no. 6, 9, 11, 17

Lanes and squares in the town of Højer were paved with 8,700 m2 of deep red tiles in a project that combines climate adaptation with urban development and aims to attract tourists and new inhabitants to the ‘town behind the dike’.

With water coming from both the sea and the sky, coastal settlements are at an increased risk of flooding. Coastal towns are often far from other towns and surrounded by beautiful open landscapes. Despite their scenic setting – and, in many cases, a valuable built heritage – they often struggle to attract new inhabitants, investments and tourists.

Højer is a historical marshland town on the edge of Tøndermarsken on the Wadden Sea. For centuries, it has defended itself against water coming in from the marshes and the sea. Over the years, the terrain in and around the town has undergone many modifications, including stone walls along property boundaries in town and drainage canals in the marshes.

The town’s recent urban renewal also had climate adaptation as a key priority. A large basin and custom-designed grates were introduced to separate rainwater from wastewater in a solution that is a subtle celebration of rain.

Højer is known for its dense, crooked streets and unique architecture with traces of Danish and German building customs. In this renewal, the historical houses were restored, and streets and urban spaces were given new surfacing that highlights the density of the old town. The cobblestones were asphalted over during the 20th century when small-scale industry blossomed in the area, and the population grew. Today, streets and lanes are covered with cobblestones, asphalt and an 8,700-m2 carpet of tiles in a deep shade of red that matches the city’s identity and history.

The renewal has enhanced Højer’s appeal as a tourist destination and as the gateway to the UNESCO-listed landscape of Tøndermarsken. This project demonstrates how climate adaptation and urban renewal can be combined with respect for a unique cultural environment and local building traditions.

Project details

Where: Højer, 6280 Højer

Completed: 2023

Client: Tøndermarsk Initiative – a partnership between the philanthropic association Realdania, A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation, the Nordea Foundation and Tønder Municipality aimed at developing Tøndermarsken to make the area an even more attractive place to visit, live and work.

Architects and advisors: ERIK BRANDT DAM arkitekter, NIRAS (engineer), Light Bureau (lighting), Urban Creators (mobility)

Erlev School Erlev

GOAL no. 3, 4, 11

Erlev School is one of the first schools in Denmark built almost entirely in wood. The school also stands out due to the layout of its interior, which promotes new principles for learning, play and physical activity and accommodates individual needs.

Learning and education are conditions for sustainable long-term development, but the layout of the interior and design of most schools are not compatible with the newest educational principles and their focus on innovation, communication and collaboration – so-called 21st-century skills. In addition, new research shows that a good indoor climate leads to happier, cleverer, healthier children.

Erlev School offers activity-based learning with a focus on play, activities, health and nature. Instead of traditional classrooms, the approx. 500 students aged 5-12 are divided into age groups and taught in so-called activity zones.

The new-built 5,000-m2 school contains a children’s universe, a junior universe, an educational workshop, teaching kitchens, a gym and a staff room. The year group areas are designed as learning landscapes with a great differentiation of learning opportunities. From a large common room in the center to open and closed zones with caves, stairs, niches, variety of different types of furniture - hard and soft - that support the students’ different learning styles.

Erlev School is one of the first in Denmark to be constructed in wood. This material was chosen to create a healthy indoor climate and sensory experiences. The exterior construction was made from Accoya timber, which is durable, impervious to micro-organisms and certified as sustainable. Window frames are made of Kebony, and the building has an extra layer of fire-resistant laminated timber.

This project demonstrates how innovative school architecture can provide a flexible setting for contemporary and future learning and promote the health and well-being of children and young people.

Project details

Where: Gl. Hørregårdsvej 29, 6100 Haderslev

Completed: 2021

Client: Haderslev Municipality

Architects and advisors: Arkitema, Pluskontoret, Arkitema Urban (landscape), Sloth Møller (engineer)