PULSEN is a new sustainable community centre combining programmes within healthcare, culture, sports and education in Balling, Denmark. The project is the result of an open architecture competition won by LETH & GORI in collaboration with Elkiær + Ebbeskov.

The focus is on creating a sustainable building by low-energy design and environment friendly materials but it is also a project about creating a socially sustainable project that can become a framework for the local community - a building for everyone.

It is organised in a series of individual buildings with a connecting public space, making it possible to control the climate of each area of the building and create the perfect climate conditions for the different activities. Heating from the buildings can be “re-used” to heat the common areas in colder periods.

The large outdoor pool is created in the spirit of Iceland’s blue lagoon. The local heating plant is planning to be one of the few plants in Denmark to employ geothermic heating methods by using underground water. Once the water has been used for heating, it will be used in the spa baths in the wellness house and in the outdoor pool. This means that you can swim in warm water, out in the open in a 100% natural and sustainable way.

The project includes masterplanning of the surrounding landscape with urban spaces, football fields, tennis court and a running path.