Klimapavillonen in Bypark Øst, Kolding

Where City Streets Fade into Forest

Klimapavillonen sits precisely where Kolding’s urban fabric dissolves into the tall trees of Marielundskoven, in the green expanse known as Bypark Øst. Here, apartment blocks and everyday traffic are only a short walk away, yet the mood shifts quickly to birdsong, rustling leaves and the smell of damp earth after rain. The pavilion is framed by open lawns, gently sloping ground and a network of footpaths that tempt you deeper into the woods. This threshold between town and forest is deliberate. The area has long been a recreational breathing space for the surrounding neighbourhoods, and the pavilion gives that landscape a recognizable heart – a simple, welcoming structure that anchors picnics, school outings and informal get‑togethers.

A Modern Shelter with Fire at Its Core

Architecturally, Klimapavillonen is understated and functional. Built primarily in wood with a light, airy profile, it feels more like an elegant shelter than a closed building. Large openings invite both daylight and fresh air, while a solid roof offers protection from sudden showers and the low northern sun. Inside, sturdy tables and benches provide plenty of room for lunch boxes, thermos flasks and shared dishes. At the centre sits a designated fire pit, the social focal point of the pavilion. On chilly days flames throw a warm glow onto the timber surfaces; in summer, the scent of toasted bread or twisting sausages drifts out into the park. Fire is part of Danish outdoor culture, and here it is integrated safely, encouraging visitors to linger rather than rush back to the city.

Everyday Nature with Subtle Climate Thinking

The green space around Klimapavillonen is more than a pretty lawn. Low-lying areas and shallow swales guide rainwater through the park, helping absorb heavy downpours before they reach the city centre. Grasses, wildflowers and clusters of shrubs create varied microhabitats where insects, birds and small mammals find food and shelter. For visitors, this climate-conscious design is experienced as simple pleasures: dragonflies hovering above a stream, the crunch of gravel underfoot on a raised path, the changing palette of greens and golds as seasons turn. Signage in the wider park explains aspects of local climate adaptation, making the pavilion part of a broader conversation about how Danish towns live with water and weather.

Picnics, Play and Quiet Moments

Klimapavillonen is designed for unpretentious use. Families spread out picnic rugs on the nearby grass, children dart between the pavilion and the tree trunks, and groups of friends use the shelter as a base before wandering further into Marielundskoven. The covered space means that even on unsettled days, you can still lay out a meal, sheltered from passing showers and wind. Equally, it is a place for quieter visits. Early in the day the pavilion can feel almost contemplative, with just the sound of footsteps on wood and the distant call of birds from the forest edge. Solo walkers and runners pause here to drink water, stretch or simply sit and look across the meadows and treeline.

Seasons Framing the Pavilion Experience

In spring, the paths to Klimapavillonen are lined with fresh leaves and the first flowers, while the fire pit extends the still-cool evenings. Summer brings long light hours, lively gatherings and the hum of insects over the nearby streams. Autumn wraps the pavilion in russet and gold, with fallen leaves swirling across the open floor. In winter, the structure stands as a calm, geometric form against bare branches, its roof catching frost or a light layer of snow while a small fire turns it into a cosy refuge. Because the pavilion is open-sided and freely accessible, there is no fixed programme here – only the rhythm of the year and the informal rituals of everyday outdoor life. Whether you come with a packed lunch, a bundle of firewood or just a desire to sit quietly at the edge of the forest, Klimapavillonen offers a simple, thoughtfully designed place to pause.