Shapely and tactile TEC Gymnasium

H.C. Ørsted Gymnasium in Lyngby near Copenhagen has been conceived and designed for young people with a love of science.  The architecture is clearly inspired by the natural sciences, as reflected in the very rational design, while rounded corners add an organic and vibrant touch to the complex.

‘Ørstedet’ is the main assembly area – named after the Danish physicist and chemist Hans Christian Ørsted who became famous for his discoveries within electromagnetism – and integrated with the open triple-height staircase connecting all the floors in the building. The structure of the building is easily discerned both inside and out, as it basically consists of the stacking of rounded, room-sized volumes alluding to electromagnetic coils.

However, a dynamic feel is also created between the rounded classrooms and the break-out areas in-between. The stacked structure means that the floor area decreases the higher up you go, but then large terraces function as extensions to the teaching space.

Good indoor climate the be-all and end-all

The very organic shape and look of the building – you get the feeling that it could keep on growing – contrasts nicely with the stringent homogeneity of the vertical aluminium slats that embrace the entire facade. Inside the high-ceilinged and airy atrium, strips have also been used to create a screen and inner facade. The project is characterised by relatively few, yet robust materials to create a feeling of coherence throughout.

All the ceilings feature grey Troldtekt acoustic panels, which help to ensure superior acoustics in the classrooms as well as in the workshops and communal areas. The ceilings incorporate Troldtekt ventilation, where selected Troldtekt panels allow fresh air to flow diffusely into the rooms, silently and draught-free. Following the school’s inauguration, its caretaker says that the indoor climate is incredibly good.