Foto: Torben Eskerod
The Natural History Museum Denmark was established in 2004 through the merger of the Zoological Museum, the Geological Museum, the Botanical Museum and the Botanical Garden. Today, the museum houses a natural history collection of more than 14 million objects gathered over 400 years, ranging from skeletons and skins to fossils, minerals and living plants. The collections document the diversity and evolution of life and form the foundation for the museum’s research, education and public engagement.
In 2009, work began on creating a new museum building in the Botanical Garden, where zoology, botany and geology could be brought together in a single, world-class museum, allowing visitors to experience all aspects of natural history under one roof.
From the first ideas to breaking ground in 2019, the project progressed through an architectural competition, securing funding, the approval of local development plans and the finalisation of the construction contract. The museum was designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects and architect Claus Pryds, and constructed with the Danish Road Directorate and the Danish Building and Property Agency acting as clients on the project. In 2024, the building was handed over to the University of Copenhagen and the museum.
Since the handover, work on the future museum experience has been in full swing, including the installation of exhibitions, laboratories and visitor facilities, in preparation for the opening of Denmark’s new national museum of natural history to the public on 6 March 2027.
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Photo: The Danish Road Directorate
Photo: The Danish Road Directorate
Photo: The Danish Road Directorate
Photo: Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects
Photo: Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects
Photo: The Danish Road Directorate
Photo: The Danish Road Directorate
Photo: The Danish Road Directorate
Photo: Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects
Photo: The Danish Road Directorate
Timeline
2009
Ideas and visions take shape
The vision phase for the new museum begins with an open ideas competition, won by architect Claus Pryds
2009-2012
The setting for the new museum is enhanced
The Botanical Garden undergoes restoration thanks to a multi-million-kroner donation from A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation. The new museum will be located in a corner of the renovated garden.
2012
Winners of the architectural competition are announced
Six architectural teams compete to design Denmark’s new natural history museum. In May, the winning proposal is revealed, designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects and architect Claus Pryds.
2013-2014
Foundation support for the construction project
Villum Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen Fond and Det Obelske Familiefond each donate substantial nine-figure amounts to the new Natural History Museum Denmark.
2016
The local development plan is approved
In April, the local development plan for the new Natural History Museum Denmark is approved by the City Council of Copenhagen.
2017
A contractor is selected for the construction
The Danish Building and Property Agency awards the main construction contract for the museum project to Per Aarsleff A/S following prequalification rounds and a public tender process.
2018
Foundation support for the exhibitions
A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation supports the museum in connection with an international exhibition competition to select a company to develop the future exhibitions for the new museum. The competition is won by Tinker Imagineers.
The A.P. Møller Foundation also donates a substantial nine-figure amount to support the exhibitions at the new museum.
The A.P. Møller Foundation also donates a substantial nine-figure amount to support the exhibitions at the new museum.
2019
Groundbreaking ceremony
Denmark’s new national museum of natural history was designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects and architect Claus Pryds, and with the groundbreaking ceremony in August, construction officially begins.
During the excavation for the foundation, 200,000 tonnes of earth are moved and digging reaches 15 metres below ground level along a perimeter of 400 metres. To make room for the future underground exhibition halls, the old engine hall behind the Palm House must be dismantled. It will later be reconstructed using, among other things, the original façade bricks and steel lattice structures.
During the excavation for the foundation, 200,000 tonnes of earth are moved and digging reaches 15 metres below ground level along a perimeter of 400 metres. To make room for the future underground exhibition halls, the old engine hall behind the Palm House must be dismantled. It will later be reconstructed using, among other things, the original façade bricks and steel lattice structures.
The construction site following the groundbreaking ceremony.
01:13 min.
2020
Construction gains momentum
A total of 468 secant piles have been drilled and cast 15 metres into the ground, and 234 ground anchors have been installed in the piles. The foundation has been cast, and preparations are now underway to cast the curved walls in timber formwork directly on the construction site. Once completed, the walls of the exhibition halls will rise up to 10 metres high.
During the year, the Ocean Hall also begins to take shape, with a cast foundation four metres below ground level and the lower walls put in place.
During the year, the Ocean Hall also begins to take shape, with a cast foundation four metres below ground level and the lower walls put in place.
2021
Topping-out ceremony
Two years after the groundbreaking ceremony, a topping-out ceremony is held in September at the construction site inside the newly built Ocean Hall.
The glass dome of the Ocean Hall consists of 2,000 steel frames fitted with 1,600 triangular glass panels – only two panes of glass in the entire structure are identical. The oval hall is 16 metres wide and 50 metres long, and at 23 metres high it rises above the roofline of the old Polyteknisk Læreanstalt when viewed from Sølvgade and the Botanical Garden.
In front of the museum’s future main entrance, work begins on creating the hilly plaza that blends into the Botanical Garden.
The glass dome of the Ocean Hall consists of 2,000 steel frames fitted with 1,600 triangular glass panels – only two panes of glass in the entire structure are identical. The oval hall is 16 metres wide and 50 metres long, and at 23 metres high it rises above the roofline of the old Polyteknisk Læreanstalt when viewed from Sølvgade and the Botanical Garden.
In front of the museum’s future main entrance, work begins on creating the hilly plaza that blends into the Botanical Garden.
Timelapse of the Ocean Hall
01:34 min.
2022
The exhibition halls are roofed over
The underground exhibition halls are covered by a hilly landscape deck, and inside, 180,000 wooden slats mounted on rails are installed in the ceilings together with sound-absorbing felt to ensure good acoustics.
The engine hall (the future welcome hall for visitors) is reconstructed on top of the landscape deck, while the buildings facing Sølvtorvet are being transformed into offices, laboratories and teaching facilities.
The engine hall (the future welcome hall for visitors) is reconstructed on top of the landscape deck, while the buildings facing Sølvtorvet are being transformed into offices, laboratories and teaching facilities.
2023
Production of the new exhibitions begins
The design agency Event Communications wins the contract to realise the new exhibitions.
2023
The VILLUM Hall is fully restored
The red buildings facing Sølvtorvet house a historic lecture hall where Niels Bohr is said to have given lectures. Since the beginning of the construction project, the VILLUM Hall has been carefully restored so it can host future events at the museum.
The hall is named after the civil engineer and Doctor Technices honoris causa Villum Kann Rasmussen, who graduated from the former Polyteknisk Læreanstalt in 1932. In 1942, he invented the VELUX roof window and went on to establish a number of companies that are today gathered under VKR Holding A/S. In 1971, he founded the Villum Foundation, which has supported the creation of the new Natural History Museum Denmark.
Through colour archaeological studies, the walls of the VILLUM Hall have been restored to their original appearance in respect of the building’s history. In general, the walls and woodwork throughout the buildings have, wherever possible, been painted in their original colours.
The hall is named after the civil engineer and Doctor Technices honoris causa Villum Kann Rasmussen, who graduated from the former Polyteknisk Læreanstalt in 1932. In 1942, he invented the VELUX roof window and went on to establish a number of companies that are today gathered under VKR Holding A/S. In 1971, he founded the Villum Foundation, which has supported the creation of the new Natural History Museum Denmark.
Through colour archaeological studies, the walls of the VILLUM Hall have been restored to their original appearance in respect of the building’s history. In general, the walls and woodwork throughout the buildings have, wherever possible, been painted in their original colours.
2023
The final details of the construction are put in place
The plaza covering the new exhibition spaces is fitted with ventilation chimneys and lighting along the pathways, guiding museum visitors towards the entrance even during the dark hours.
Inside the future restaurant, stairways are being built leading to the courtyard with outdoor seating and to an elevated area overlooking the Botanical Garden. The final floor of the Ocean Hall is cast with space for the electrical installations required for the exhibitions.
Inside the future restaurant, stairways are being built leading to the courtyard with outdoor seating and to an elevated area overlooking the Botanical Garden. The final floor of the Ocean Hall is cast with space for the electrical installations required for the exhibitions.
2024
The University of Copenhagen receives the keys to the building
In July, the client, the Danish Road Directorate, officially hands over the new museum building to the University of Copenhagen and the Natural History Museum Denmark. Work now begins on installing the new exhibitions, while the restaurant, shop and ticket office are prepared to welcome the museum’s many visitors.
Offices and laboratories are also brought into use, and parts of the museum’s collections are moved into new facilities. The new museum comprises 32,000 square metres divided between new construction and renovated buildings.
Offices and laboratories are also brought into use, and parts of the museum’s collections are moved into new facilities. The new museum comprises 32,000 square metres divided between new construction and renovated buildings.
2024-2027
The Palm House and the pathways in the Botanical Garden are restored
After more than 150 years exposed to the elements, the Palm House undergoes extensive restoration to ensure that the listed greenhouse can endure for many years to come.
All pathways throughout the garden have been adapted for rainwater management and made more accessible for the garden’s many visitors.
All pathways throughout the garden have been adapted for rainwater management and made more accessible for the garden’s many visitors.
2025-2026
We are building your future museum experience
The new museum building is complete, and work now begins on constructing the eight new exhibitions from the ground up, including everything from display cases, plinths and dioramas to sound, lighting and climate control.
The thousands of objects that will form part of the exhibitions must all pass through the conservators’ workshop to be prepared for display and public engagement in the new museum.
Wayfinding signs are installed throughout the new building and surrounding areas to help visitors navigate and enjoy a seamless museum experience.
At the same time, several procurement processes are underway for the interior design and dining experience in the museum’s new restaurant and café.
The thousands of objects that will form part of the exhibitions must all pass through the conservators’ workshop to be prepared for display and public engagement in the new museum.
Wayfinding signs are installed throughout the new building and surrounding areas to help visitors navigate and enjoy a seamless museum experience.
At the same time, several procurement processes are underway for the interior design and dining experience in the museum’s new restaurant and café.
2027
The new museum opens to the public on March 6, 2027.
