The substantial extension and refurbishment of the Experimentarium future-proofs the science centre as a significant cultural destination. The project doubles the exhibition area with a total of 16 interactive exhibitions and also includes a large roof terrace, modern staff facilities with visual contact to the visitor areas, a large café and a picnic-area, a convention centre, teaching facilities and a series of workshops.

The aim of the design is a radical change of Experimentarium’s architectural expression. From previously being an introvert building to now appearing as an extrovert, engaging and vibrant attraction that makes its activities visible in the public space. However, this needed to happen within the footprint of the existing building, a former soft drink bottling plant, which meant that the only way to extend was by building inwards and upwards.

The building reorganized completely by mixing existing functions with new ones, adding new floors and cutting the building across in two places to insert atriums with eye-catching sculptural staircases. The functions break out of the existing structure, so to speak, by stacking a series of aluminium-clad boxes on top of the old building’s brick base. The boxes form a dynamic composition, which reflects Experimentarium’s function and the diversity of experiences that it offers. This light and modern expression is supported by the brick facade’s visual weight so that the bottling plant forms a stable and calm base for a new and dynamic building volume.

At the same time, the variation of retracted and cantilevering boxes divides the volume into smaller clusters, which allows the relatively long building to interact with the different surroundings that it meets. The aluminium panels are perforated by organic patterns based on fluid dynamics, which on the one hand link science and architecture and on the other allows daylight in. In selected spots, large glass sections form “eyes” that expose the wonderful Experimentarium universe and are applied as a form of architectural rubato – the musical term that describes the expressive shaping of music by means of slight shifts and changes of tempo.

The Experimentarium in Copenhagen had to meet strict fire and smoke safety requirements. Smoke-proof sliding doors needed be installed for this purpose. As a manufacturer of smoke-proof sliding doors that are also approved in Denmark, GEZE was able to help bring the conversion measures to a successful conclusion.

Modernisation: Directing visitor flows and increasing safety

As part of a comprehensive renovation and modernisation programme, the Experimentarium building was to be converted into a high-tech facility capable of welcoming up to 500,000 visitors per year. In addition to a positive visitor experience, the legal requirements regarding fire protection and emergency exit protection were naturally at the top of the priority list for building contractor Einar Kornerup. The former bottling halls of the Tuborg brewery, which have housed the Experimentarium since 1991, have undergone a major façade renovation with a new, exciting design. The first thing you see in the entrance hall is a spectacular copper staircase. Like a DNA molecule, it winds its way up through the three floors of the building.

The building was significantly expanded to include an additional floor, a large roof terrace with outdoor science and technology activities and experiments, a large restaurant and picnic area, a conference centre, learning facilities and a number of workshops. Strict fire and smoke safety requirements and the express wish to install smoke-proof sliding doors in the building were the reasons why GEZE Denmark was awarded the contract, as GEZE is the only company in Denmark that supplies approved smoke-proof sliding doors. 

The copper staircase is an abstract interpretation of the structure of a DNA strand.

Experience the Experimentarium

The Experimentarium is Denmark's intuitive science museum and is a Mecca of activities and opportunities for curious minds and creative spirits, both young and old. The design of the Experimentarium is inspired by science and technology. The 17 interactive exhibitions are designed as separate universes, each offering a unique experience. The exhibitions offer knowledge about inventions and physical phenomena, along with excitement and a great time, information about water and the oceans, the senses, light, energy, the quirks of the human body, mathematical challenges, microorganisms, mind games – and, of course, soap bubbles in every shape and size.

Smoke-proof sliding doors for improved fire protection

The strict guidelines governing the safety of such a complex building are described in detail in the Experimentarium's fire strategy, and include ventilation, escape routes, automatic fire alarm systems and sprinkler systems. For example, escape routes in buildings must be secured in the event of heavy smoke in order to ensure that guests and staff can self-rescue and to keep the routes clear for rescue services. At the same time, the conversion work should take into account not only functional and safety-related factors, but also design aspects as well. For an ideal combination of design and functionality, the architectural firm CEBRA opted to install smoke-proof sliding doors that close automatically and only open after manual release.

When 2,500 happy guests are visiting the exhibitions or we are hosting a large gala event with hundreds of attendees, everything simply has to run smoothly. Safety must be ensured, and all moving parts must be well lubricated and able to withstand use. When creating the framework for the new Experimentarium, we always focused on selecting the right suppliers and products.

Kim Gladstone Herlev, Managing Director of the Experimentarium

Accessible emergency exits for building entrances

The entrance area of the Experimentarium is inviting and bright, welcoming visitors and staff alike. Access for all is a matter of course, so that people with limited mobility or families with prams feel welcome and can move around the building without obstacles. Special attention is also paid to accessible escape routes. After all, everyone must be able to leave the building quickly and safely in the event of danger. For this reason, GEZE relies on automatic swing and sliding doors with increased safety features:

Slimdrive systems for doors with high traffic volumes

Three single-leaf glass sliding doors from GEZE were designed and supplied for the inside area. The doors, each 2.7 m wide and 2.8 m high, are equipped with the GEZE Slimdrive SL RD sliding door system. When closed, the door is smoke-proof, making it the ideal door solution for escape routes. When the alarm system is triggered, the doors close so that escape routes remain smoke-free and visitors and staff can get outside safely. They are specially designed to match the open, bright and inviting design of the building.

Specially developed for large, heavy doors: the Slimdrive SL-RD sliding door system in an understated design

Fire protection with EU statement of approval: door solutions from GEZE

GEZE has been awarded the EU DIN 18650 certificate for the manufacture and supply of smoke-proof sliding doors. The automation features can be integrated almost invisibly into the façade and are used in particular in escape and rescue routes with increased safety requirements.

Advantages of the Slimdrive at a glance

GEZE supplied several single leaf entrance doors for the façade. The doors are handicapped accessible with large, side-mounted doors that open and close safely and automatically when needed. The doors are equipped with the GEZE Powerturn F for fire and smoke protection doors, which is also connected to the safety system. This means that the fire protection doors open and close reliably in the event of a fire. The GEZE Powerturn F is specially designed for large, heavy fire and smoke protection doors in high-traffic indoor and outdoor areas. With its low height, it integrates well into the façade design – ideal for entrance areas.

Advantages of the Powerturn F at a glance

PRODUCT USED:
METALS COPPER

Contained in an old bottling plant, Experimentarium had to expand inwards and upwards when renovating the centre and making room for 16 new, interactive exhibitions.

The renovation added two large atriums to the building and created a strong contrast between the daylight-flooded common areas and staircases and the dark, intimate exhibition areas.

The atriums are covered with VELUX modular skylights to let in daylight and fresh air and to keep temperatures pleasant for visitors.

• 12 Longlights 5-30° with 159 modules cover the two atriums at the newly refurbished Experimentarium.
• 24 modules are venting modules and serve as an integral part of the building’s ventilation system.
• The skylights meet smoke ventilation requirements, opening fast in case of fire to let smoke out through the roof.

When sunlight through the skylights lights up the copper-clad spiral staircase, it creates a spectacular installation in the middle of the atrium.

Kim Gladstone Herlev

CEO Experimentarium

The quality of daylight in the atrium spaces is excellent. It’s great for our visitors and for our staff; even inward-facing offices have plenty of bright, natural daylight.

Lars Gemynthe Gylling

CEBRA Architects

Daylight is used as a feature to enhance storytelling and to create quality workspaces for employees.