The Vilhelmsro primary school in Asminderoed, Denmark is designed by BIG architects to focus on nature and sustainability. The undulating roofline merges with the surrounding hillside, generating outdoor green terraces and courtyard spaces between the one-story buildings. Though single-level, varying ceiling heights allow natural daylight into every classroom. The sod roof facilitates passive energy measures like mitigating heat gain and storing rainwater for reuse.

1. vilhelmsro primary school
'vilhelmsro primary school' by BIG architects in asminderoed, denmark
all images courtesy BIG architects

2. copenhagen-based BIG architects have unveiled their design of 'vilhelmsro primary school',
an academic facility which focuses their curriculum on nature and sustainability in
asminderoed, denmark. taking the undulating hillside of the site as a point of departure,
the design features a series of bands which pleat and crisscross to merge with the surrounding topography.

3. rendered view of courtyard space
the oscillating roofline is experienced from both the inside and the outside.
outdoor green terraces and courtyard spaces are generated in between buildings.
though all one-storey, the alternating peaks and ceiling heights allow natural daylight

4. to stream into every class room. the sod makeup facilitates passive energy measures
such as mitigating heat island effect, acting as thermal mass and evaporative cooling qualities.
rain water runoff is reduced, collected and stored for non-potable usage.
cross-ventilation is also encouraged through operable windows and overlapping openings.

5. interior of classroom
pleating element translated on the interior

6. floor to ceiling glazing with operable components

7. no facade to neighborhood

8. landscape roof

9. view to landscape

13. site plan

15. floor plan

16. section through main corridor

17. facade (towards south)

18. isometric overview and programs

19. (left) roof terraces
(right) courtyards

22. sustainable properties of green roof
(clockwise from top left) mitigating heat island effect, thermal mass, evaporative cooling, water runoff reduction & storage
(left) day light access
(right) ventilation

25. project info:
program category: public space/culture/education
type: pre-qualified competition
size: 7000 m2, height 12 m
client: fredensborg municipality
collaborators: CG jensen, ISC, transolar, topotek1