The ambition and the challenge was to become the first DGNB certified neighbourhood.

More than 15 years ago, the foundation for a new neighbourhood was laid in Odense, Denmark’s third largest city
From the start, the vision was clear: to develop a neighbourhood that integrates environmental, social, and economic sustainability at every level. Together with the developer, Barfoed Group, JUUL FROST Architects set sail for a sustainable developing. This is before the German sustainability standard DGNB was seen as the benchmark in the Danish construction sector.

The DGNB certification process took over two years, involving extensive documentation, calculations, and planning.

Certifying an entire neighbourhood was a complex learning process, culminating in a 300-page report, excluding appendices. The work has added a new set of skills and knowledge to our architecture firm.

“When I first visited Munkebjerg in 2006, we began a student housing project with Barfoed Group. At the time, no one could have imagined that it would evolve into an entirely new district. Now, in 2024, we see the result. This was made possible thanks to a visionary developer. From the very beginning, our shared goal was to create a framework for quality of life at all levels.”
– Flemming Frost, founding partner, JUUL FROST Architects.

One key initiative was the concept of duality—creating solutions that serve both functional and recreational purposes. Take for example the lake in the middle of neighbourhood that works as a reservoir for heavy rain but also a recreational area for the residents.

Jakob Rosendahl Haahr is an architect at JUUL FROST Architects and DGNB consultant. He has worked with the DGNB certification of the Munkebjerg neighbourhood.

“It has been a comprehensive and complex task, but there has been a clear and strong foundation upon which Munkebjerg Park is built, and now the project has been approved by the Council for Sustainable Building. It has been a huge victory.”
– Jakob Rosendahl Haahr

The certification reflects a visionary approach to urban planning, creating a sustainable and forward-thinking neighbourhood that not only meets today’s needs but also lays the foundation for a thriving, resilient, and socially inclusive future.

From solar panels, a reservoir lake functioning as recreational space to nudging details as the roof covering the bicycle parking, which keeps a very sustainable way of transport dry and appealing. The neighbourhood could therefore check off environmental standards, quality of life, and sense of community and was awarded with the DGNB Certification as the first neighbourhood in Denmark.