All projects

Universe Science Park

An immersive science park where landscape, nature and engineering inspire hands-on discovery

Nordborg, Denmark

Children and adults explore interactive outdoor science exhibits at Universe Science Park, with timber decking, planted beds and hands-on mechanical installations set within a landscaped garden.

Universe Science Park is an interactive science park covering 3.5 hectares in Nordborg, Denmark. Set within an innovative parkland setting, we have delivered a series of themed exhibits that offer families a chance to interact with science and nature in a fun and hands-on way.

An arched woven willow tunnel creates playful spaces and sheltered enclosures for children to explore

Commissioned by Danfoss A/S, the park was designed to inspire children and families through immersive outdoor and indoor exhibits centred on nature and engineering.

Our masterplan structured the site into a series of thematically zoned landscapes, each tailored to its exhibits. Visitors can wander through naturalistic settings that showcase ecological processes, explore gardens demonstrating water technologies, or engage in hands-on experiments integrated into the landscape itself. The park also features a range of “black box” experiences, including the Blue Cube, an ice cavern where visitors encounter extreme cold conditions. We worked in close collaboration with engineers, exhibit designers and operational teams to deliver the landscapes.

Universe Science Park attracts around 140,000 visitors annually and is one of Denmark’s most popular science-led attractions. Its success lies in the original masterplan, which embedded flexibility for future growth.

Proposed masterplan of Universe Science Park
Concept masterplan
Curving paved pathways wind through landscaped gardens at Universe Science Park Danfoss, with visitors walking among lawns, planting beds and interactive outdoor exhibits beside a distinctive sculptural building
The Cumulus exhibition building rises above landscaped gardens and winding pathways, creating a striking architectural focal point within the park
Lakeside planting with lush greenery and vibrant yellow flowers at Danfoss Universe landscape architecture in Nordborg, Denmark.
Naturalistic planting and wetland habitats create a biodiverse landscape that enhances ecological value while offering a rich, seasonal visitor experience.

The park is experienced by journeying through four outdoor rooms:

Lake Eureka: this area invokes feelings of awe and curiosity. It possesses a blend of natural and wild character together with traditional parkland landscape.

Garden of Inspiration: this external exhibit invokes feelings of playfulness and wonder. It comprises attractions and buildings assimilated into a sculptural landscape.

Old Orchard: this landscape invokes feelings of nostalgia and peacefulness. It is a quiet, restful area for picnicking and eating on the restaurant terrace.

Inventor's Farm: this external space invokes feelings of inventiveness and exuberance. It is an area dominated by built forms, including historic buildings.

Vibrant purple and white flower borders with birch trees at Danfoss Universe landscape gardens in Nordborg, Denmark.
Vibrant perennial planting and sculptural play elements create a rich, immersive garden setting.
Outdoor café seating at Danfoss Universe surrounded by vibrant purple flower planting, enhancing landscape architecture and visitor enjoyment.
A new cafe extends the park into the winter months
Arched woven willow tunnel at Universe Science Park Danfoss, casting intricate shadows across a paved pathway as visitors walk through landscaped gardens
An arched woven willow tunnel at Universe Science Park Danfoss casts intricate, dappled shadows while creating playful spaces and sheltered enclosures for children to explore

Concept

 

Concept sketches of the green parkland setting.

Concept sketch of winding woodland pathways through birch trees at Danfoss Universe, enhancing landscape architecture and visitor experience.
Landscape architecture sketch with curved path, grassy mounds, and sculptural stone feature at Danfoss Universe, Nordborg, Denmark

Project details

Title

Universe Science Park

Client

Danfoss A/S

Status

Complete

Gillespies team

Stephen Richards, Jim Diggle