With Klyngehuset, Landsbyklyngen (Cluster Village) Kronjylland, which consists of 13 villages around Randers, will gain a communal meeting place where buildings, landscape, and clubs and associations are connected, drawing nature right into the building. The ‘cluster house’ is located near the village of Albæk in an area that is part of Randers Fjord. It serves as the centre of the area, with close contact and connections to the large site. The ‘cluster house’ is an open and green community centre adapted to the surroundings and creating opportunities for versatile and active use of the building by many users and at all times of day and night. The building itself consists of three independent houses, which can be used for recreation, meetings, cooking and storage of outdoor equipment, covered by a large shared circular roof that offers shelter and space for events and informal gatherings. The three houses are situated around a yard and open up to the surroundings, sharing a large wooden floor that also reaches out into the landscape. The central space can be expanded or reduced in size by opening and closing sliding gates. The large unifying roof is green, but is pierced by one of the three houses from which it is possible to go up and look out over the landscape. The whole building is made of sustainable materials, primarily as a timber construction, and only lightly touches the landscape so that nature comes very close to and into the circle.
The environment is utilised as a resource
The landscape around Klyngehuset is based on the imposing natural features characteristic of the area. The surroundings are a crucial resource for the community centre, creating a strong link between the house, the surroundings, and the city. The landscape around the house will be designed to offer space for a wealth of activities, gatherings, and contemplation. In the design process, we have worked actively to create spaces for contemplation, recreation, leisure, and activity of different scales that invite various types of activity. The landscape will be varied, cultivating the existing qualities of the area and not only offering a wealth of activities, but also handling the challenge of future cloudbursts and rising water levels.