A Warm Maritime Heritage, Esbjerg Maritime Center

The Esbjerg Maritime Center was designed by Snøhetta and WERK Arkitekter. Initially, in this design, they entered a design competition in 2019 organized by the Esbjerg City legislature to bring together the water sports club in one place as a social center and architectural landmark for the port city of Esbjerg on the west coast of Denmark.

view of Esbjerg Maritime Center from the sea , Photo by wichmann+bendtsen photography

The design team designed the building as a multifunctional space, for nautical and community activities that house water sports clubs, ship sheds, training facilities, large workshop rooms, and social functions. With that complex purpose and function, the team designed the shape of the building to be circular and open, allowing visitors to come from any angle, creating an accessible and inclusive building so that it becomes a unique destination in the beach area, and everyone can discover a new warm and welcoming community.

view of Esbjerg Maritime Center from above , Photo by wichmann+bendtsen photography

Due to its location on a human-made island, the building honors the maritime heritage of the Danish port city, with the building's façade featuring large windows that let in a lot of light and visibility while connecting the center with the surroundings. A circular and open design clad in wood, the building shines at night, evolving into a common space and dubbed the "Lantern".

view of Esbjerg Maritime Center from the sea , Photo by wichmann+bendtsen photography

The use of round-shaped openings provides light access to the center of the ground floor and establishes vertical visual and social connections. The building is divided into two levels, where the upper level houses a variety of clubs, including rowing, kayaking, sailing, diving, and triathlon clubs, as well as common areas, educational centers, and training facilities. A ship's warehouse and workshop room can be found at a lower level, directly connected to the sea through a bridge.

First floor plan Esbjerg Maritime Center, Source by Snøhetta

Second floor plan Esbjerg Maritime Center, Source by Snøhetta

The base of the building is made of cast concrete designed to withstand high tide if it rises above a flood barrier. Both the exterior and interior of the façade have rhythms and reps that reference the construction of wooden boats. In addition, the structure consists of areas where visitors can shelter during adverse weather conditions, such as a central terrace that serves as a place to collect all the activities of different buildings on one platform. And as a comfortable shelter that gives the "impression of being under an overturned boat".

view of Esbjerg Maritime Center interior , Photo by wichmann+bendtsen photography

view of Esbjerg Maritime Center interior , Photo by wichmann+bendtsen photography

In this central area, visitors can find changes in the panel angle, providing varied shadows inspired by the kayak's shape. Snøhetta and WERK Arkitekter chose Pine sleeves because they would become gray over time and because the material is commonly used in shipbuilding. The continued rhythm of the wood on the roof makes the solar panels placed in a belt around the top edge.

Detail facade of Esbjerg Maritime Center, Photo by wichmann+bendtsen photography

Detail facade of Esbjerg Maritime Center, Photo by wichmann+bendtsen photography