Green school in the heart of Frederiksberg, Copenhagen

‘Skolen på Duevej’ is remarkable in that the oldest part is heritage-listed, while the newest section is Denmark’s first DGNB-certified school, raising the bar for Danish school building projects.

The new extension was designed with a strong holistic focus and an emphasis on interaction with the surroundings. The new building lies adjacent to the other school buildings on Duevej. From the street you can see into the partially below-ground sports hall. The windows on both sides also offer views of life in the school yard beyond the building.

Both the playground and sports hall are available for city residents to use. The scale of the building and the materials chosen also match the architectural style of the street. In addition to the partially below-ground multi- hall, the new building houses classrooms for the youngest pupils, and staff facilities on the top floor, with access to a roof terrace.

A good indoor climate is vital to learning
In addition to interaction with the surroundings and social and architectural qualities, sustainable principles are also crucial in order for a building to attain DGNB certification – gold in this case, with a supplementary diamond awarded for high architectural quality.

Again, a holistic approach was taken, with sustainability reflected in an integrated rainwater solution, well insulated load-bearing exterior walls and natural ventilation. The indoor climate is central to an effective school, and that is why Troldtekt acoustic panels have been chosen. These ensure good acoustics in all rooms, and are certified in line with sustainable Cradle-to-Cradle principles. Troldtekt panels contain no harmful substances and can be composted.