A learning environment that promotes both academic and personal growth
Dybkærskolen
Dybkær School reinterprets the definition of a Danish municipal primary and lower secondary school. The school, surrounded by a large hilly landscape, is the beating heart of Gødvad in central Denmark, serving as a local cultural and activity centre that buzzes with life both during and outside of school hours. With its strategic location next to the area’s sports halls, church, and local shops, Dybkær School forms the new town square, creating a dynamic and cohesive neighbourhood.
Facts about the project
Client
Silkeborg Kommune
Place
Gødvad, Denmark
Status
Completed
Size
10.200 sqm


The Architect’s main concept: The “School on the Hill”
The project’s architectural main concept is based on the school’s elevated location, a source of inspiration. The three-storey school building features a peak like a hill and flattens out to a scale that is user-friendly for even the youngest of students running around.
The well-being and development of students are central, and the school has implemented a range of initiatives that promote both academic and personal growth, including strong collaborations with local businesses and cultural institutions, enabling students to explore their interests and talents. This is reflected in the many small zones where students can immerse themselves in project and group work, as well as in creative workshops. Classrooms feature various types of seating and options for dividing up the space, and lessons can even take place outdoors on the rooftop terraces. Each year group has its own dedicated area, consisting of rooms of varying sizes as well as a central space that connects the classrooms.
Community engagement in architecture
Throughout the process, Sweco, in collaboration with the municipality and representatives from the school, focused on building a school where there are opportunities for a varied and inspiring school day. The school’s total area is divided into five zones, with three departments based on the age of students, occupying most of the space. There is an atrium in the centre. The remaining areas are grouped according to their function, and there are communal areas for assembling. The structure makes navigation easy, and the building itself helps create a sense of identity for each department. The concept of the “School on the Hill” is a recurring design theme, and the hill motif is also considered in the landscape architecture around the school.
School Building of the Year 2024
Dybkær School was chosen as the winner of the “School Building of the Year 2024” by a professional jury and public votes.
As the main consultant, Sweco provided all architectural and engineering services in consideration of the local municipality’s sustainability requirements. The school was planned and designed based on the overarching principle of minimising its CO2 footprint and supporting key selected goals for sustainable development. Involvement by teachers, other staff members, and students was central to strengthening engagement and influence, for example, in the design of outdoor areas and learning environments.
Sweco’s architects and experts in educational buildings developed a consistent design that considered material and colour palettes and even designed tailor-made furniture.
Students and the local community benefit from the outdoor areas, which comprise a new playground with basketball, a multi-sport court, climbing nets, caves, and more. The school is clad in brick and steel, featuring large glass sections that contribute to maximum natural light inside. There are solar panels on the school’s shed roofs, while there is greenery on other roof areas without terraces or activity zones.
Dybkær School is an exemplary model of how a modern school can be integrated into the local community and serve as a gathering point for both learning and leisure activities. A school that not only educates but also inspires and strengthens the community.