The island of Samsø is investing in a sustainable future through a number of renewable energy projects. Samsø Energy Academy has been built to concentrate this unique knowledge and make it accessible to others. This is where Samsø communicates all the experience that the island has amassed from its many renewable energy projects, from wind turbines and straw-based district heating to rapeseed oil tractors and solar panels. The academy also functions as a conference centre, where companies, scientists and politicians can discuss renewable energy, energy savings and new technologies, and houses an exhibition and energy summer school for tourists and school students visiting the island.
The two-wing academy building lies in the middle of a green meadow with a view of the sea; close to the sea's energy, and with plenty of solar warmth radiating down upon it. The building's form language is a modern interpretation of the local building style of simple saddle-roof houses. Both the design and the materials have been chosen on the basis of sustainable ideas.
The architecture utilises low-energy, prefabricated and high-insulating building components, and the building is clad with zinc, contrasting with black-painted spruce panels. To minimise electricity consumption the academy makes optimal use of natural daylight, sun screening and natural ventilation. Integrated into the zinc roof's distinctive profile are a hidden solar heating system and a visible battery of solar cells. The academy has minimal drinking water consumption and uses rainwater to flush the toilets.
