BIG’s Blåvand Bunker Museum to be built in historic dune landscape in Varde, Denmark

BIG's latest museum design, the Blåvand Bunker Museum, will be built in the historic dune landscape of Varde in Denmark after the museum received the necessary funding from the A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation.

The museum will transform a former German WWII bunker into a four-volume museum complex — all while fully integrated into one of the dunes.

Have a look at some images below.

From the BIG announcement:

"Transforming a former German WWII bunker, within the protected shorelands of Blåvand in Denmark, the 2,500m2 (ca. 27,000 ft2) new museum will be composed of four main volumes, housing four independent institutions: a bunker museum, an amber museum, a history museum and a special exhibitions gallery - within an exhibition landscape carved out of the dunes."

"Bjarke Ingels:  'Contrary to the existing closed concrete lump, the new museum will, in its architecture, function as an open heart integrated into the landscape. The museum is in every way the opposite of the militant history with its more closed, dark and heavy features. Organized around an open central square, the galleries allow much light and will give magnificent views to the surrounding countryside. The bunker is a war machine without holes for doors and windows and rejects all humanity. In contrast, the museum is integrated into the landscape and invites visitors inside.'"

"Claus Kjeld Jensen, director of the Museum of Varde City and District:  'We wanted a museum that was fully integrated into the landscape while at the same time being architecturally outstanding – functional, spectacular and invisible. BIG has created a harmonious and beautiful building that stands out in enormous contrast to the brutal Tirpitz bunker (adjacent to the new Museum), yet the design pays respect to the unique dune landscape. It is a fantastic place where we will be able to convey the big stories of Jutland. Thanks to the generous donation from the A.P. Møller Foundation this now becomes a reality.'"

"Mayor Gylling Haahr: 'The new museum will be a cultural landmark attracting tourists to Varde as well as benefitting business in the region. I am deeply grateful to the A. P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation for this donation as it will contribute greatly for future generations to have access to knowledge about the history of Denmark.'"

BIG credits list

Partners in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Jakob Lange, David Zahle
Project Leader: Brian Yang
Team: Andreas Klok Pedersen, Michael Schønemann, Alina Tamosiunaite, Katarzyna Siedlecka, Ryohei Koike
Collaborators: AKT II (structural engineering)

Images courtesy of BIG.

To read more articles on BIG here on Bustler, click here.

Browse the thumbnails below to see additional diagrams.