3XN GXN and DETBLA (as landscape designers) have won the competition to design the future Danish Center for Coastal Nature and Sport Fishing in Assens, Denmark. Located on the harbor in Assens, the center connects harbor life, coastal life, history, culture, and nature.
The center features a building form with an oval-shaped roof that aims to lift and welcome visitors and integrates access to a rooftop terrace. The Danish Center for Coastal Nature and Sport Fishing’s central part is designed as a cross shape, creating various meeting spaces both indoors and outdoors.
Integration with Maritime Environment
The building fits naturally into the existing maritime environment on the middle pier in the harbor of Assens. A large open pier surface is created around the center, preserving a rawness from the area’s fishing history and industrial warehouses. In this way, the exposed area also provides open space and views of both the sea and the town, making the pier a destination and a place to stay for many, according to designers.
“For us, it was important to design a building that is both simple and poetic. A building that fits into its surroundings, a building that is warm and welcoming, playful and full of experiences.”
Jan Ammundsen, Head of Design and Senior Partner at 3XN
In addition to the interior spaces, the storytelling of the maritime world also takes place in the landscape and seascape surrounding the center. Three large basins will be established, woven together by a stone reef and wooden jetties. The new stone reef is intersected by small canyons and underwater valleys that create a variety of ecosystems.
“The oval shape of the building makes it easily recognizable from all sides and provides a flexible layout. In addition, the focus is on warm, robust and natural materials with wood and tile. The design is compact, simple, and sustainable.” said Jan Ammundsen.
