School in the forest

A brand new school has been built in Viborg, where the forest is the theme and wood is the principal material. It's a welcoming building that greets you with trunks along the facade.

Lysningen is not just a school. It's also a meeting place and community centre for the local area of Overlund near Viborg, Denmark. The adjacent sports facilities will be available to all the area's residents. Arkitema Architects has also designed the school so that its interior is characterised by a clearing in the central atrium. Here, light flickers down between the levels and creates space in the room.

From Secondary School to Year 11, you move among thematic classrooms spread across full and half floors. Colour themes provide clarity and physical recognition in different subjects. The educational learning centre is located in the middle of the clearing with small nooks in the built-in green bookcases and other furniture.

Ceilings with multiple functions

Wood is used in the load-bearing structures and on the facade as vertical cladding between the horizontal floor partitions, highlighting the school’s many levels. Inside, wood is also a dominant material, giving the school a clear identity and a welcoming feel. The many staircases and walkways are protected by vertical wooden guards, while Troldtekt acoustic panels and vertical wooden strips are installed on many wall surfaces in the atrium. Troldtekt is a recurring material and is also based on wood fibres.

On all floors facing the atrium, there are small open squares and seating areas. The focus here has been on acoustics, making these spaces attractive for both living and learning. There’s room to chat and focus. Troldtekt has thus been used on both ceilings and selected wall surfaces.