Hedeskov Living Lab

The Hedeskov project follows the method of “making good”, which prioritises repair, reuse, and restoration as primary design drivers. Regenerative and vernacular methods draw on site-based materials from both the landscape and existing buildings, aligning construction with the local ecology of moraine soils, woodlands, and wetlands. Alongside a cross-disciplinary ecology of practice — spanning crafts, land stewardship, and research — the aim was to forge a tangible connection between buildings and processes of nature restoration, allowing architecture itself to communicate ecological repair.

Hedeskov Living Lab redefines architecture as an active agent in ecological repair. Guided by four regenerative principles — preservation and reuse, biodiversity support, replacement of carbon- and chemical-intensive materials, and integration with natural systems — the project becomes a living prototype for regenerative practice. Geological core scans shaped the interior palette, while materials were mapped and harvested with geologists, farmers, and craftspeople from nearby soils, wetlands, and forests. Construction followed seasonal rhythms, non-extractive processes, and traditional craft knowledge, aligning building with land care. The resulting architecture reveals the origins of its materials, strengthens ecological cycles, supports biodiversity, and evolves as a shared tool for research, collaboration, and demonstration — offering a replicable model for future bioregional transformation.

Construction and materials are centred on preservation, reuse, and site-specific resources. The old school was carefully restored, while a former garage was rebuilt with a half-timbered frame, limecrete side foundations, and hemp-lime infill. Moraine clay, glacial sand, bulrush fibres, and local horse manure were crafted into breathable plasters and clay flooring, while timber was either Danish-grown or reused from the existing buildings. The strategy replaces carbon- and chemical-intensive materials with low-impact, non-toxic alternatives. Materials echo the site’s geological and built history, and harvesting practices are designed to enhance local biodiversity. All interventions are low-tech, reversible, and easy to maintain, reducing embodied energy and extending building life. Post-occupancy monitoring of moisture, air quality, biodiversity, and use ensures the building continues to evolve as a prototype — demonstrating how architecture can actively regenerate ecological systems.