three 20th century pump stations are revitalized along denmark’s skjern river

as a result of the 2002 restoration of denmark’s skjern river basin, a vast and rich natural area has regenerated, becoming an attractive visitor destination. a framework for the new life of the area has been provided by danish firm johansen skovsted arkitekter with the rebuilding and extension of three pump stations in the form of exhibition spaces,, rooms for the organisation of events, better accessibility, and both indoor and outdoor viewpoints to look outward across the landscape. the extensions and the new interior building elements are primarily simple wooden constructions which reiterate the dimensions and rhythm of the original concrete reliefs.

all images by rasmus norlander

through this revitalization, johansen skovsted arkitekter creates a direct link between the old structure and the new, while introducing new texture and materiality. with the added detail, the cladding and main structure become one, reducing the complexity of the building, which is reflected in the budget as well as the final expression. the original pump stations were engineered in 1966 to be unsentimental and raw in their materiality. the vertical, rhythmic relief of the concrete façades recalls imagery of the surrounding ploughed furrows of the fields and the profiles of the soil that dictate the trajectory of the river. by building on this motif the relationship of the buildings with their natural context and its history is strengthened.


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project info:

architect: johansen skovsted arkitekter 

location: skjern river, west jutland, denmark

year of construction: 2015

client: ringkøbing-skjern kommune

financially supported by: realdania — stedet tæller and LAG-ringkøbing-skjern

in collaboration with: bertelsen & scheving arkitekter

engineer: ingeniørgruppen vestjylland ApS

contractor: hansen & larsen A/S

photography: rasmus norlander