Økolariet – Sustainable Science Center in Vejle

A green knowledge hub in the heart of Vejle

Økolariet sits just opposite Vejle’s railway station, a bright, modern science center devoted entirely to climate, the planet and sustainable living. Step inside and you move from the busy city into a dense world of models, films, soundscapes and experiments that unpack how our everyday lives are woven into global environmental systems. The building itself functions like a vertical walk through an ecosystem, each floor revealing a different layer of the story. From the entrance you are guided into themed zones rather than traditional museum galleries. Clear visual design, large illustrations and playful installations make complex ideas about energy, waste, food and biodiversity surprisingly tangible. It feels less like a museum and more like an exploratory lab, where pushing buttons and testing ideas is not only allowed but encouraged.

Interactive journeys through sewers, forests and minds

One of Økolariet’s signatures is its immersive approach to environmental topics. In the sewer exhibition, you quite literally follow the journey of wastewater, moving through dim corridors with the rumble of pipes and encounters with live rats that bring the underground world to life. It is humorous and slightly edgy, but always tied back to questions of hygiene, infrastructure and pollution. Elsewhere, a stylised river valley lets you play your way through aquatic food chains and water quality, while a biodiversity section introduces a talking tree that “tells” stories from the forest and prompts you to consider what a balanced ecosystem needs to survive. In the exhibition “Kostbar Klode”, you are invited into the fictional Ida’s brain to explore how her thoughts about diet, climate and identity shape what ends up on her plate.

Imagining a sustainable year 2100

A newer highlight is the future‑focused exhibition that transports you to the year 2100 via a glowing portal. Here, Økolariet does not dwell on disaster scenarios; instead it sketches a possible Denmark where the green transition has succeeded, renewable energy dominates, and climate anxiety has faded into history. Through models of neighbourhoods, interactive screens and sound design, you encounter a society that has changed technology, habits and values to live within planetary boundaries. The scenarios are grounded in real research yet presented at eye level, encouraging you to ask: which of these futures could start today, in my own kitchen, commute or garden? Rather than prescribing behaviour, the exhibition nudges visitors to experiment with small changes and to see themselves as part of a broader story of transition.

Outdoor roof garden and nature connections

On the rooftop, a compact garden offers a breath of fresh air above the city streets. Raised beds, pollinator‑friendly plants and simple interpretations show how even small urban spaces can support insects, birds and climate adaptation. It is a quiet, leafy counterpoint to the busier indoor galleries and a reminder that sustainability can be beautiful as well as practical. Økolariet’s work stretches beyond the building through a strong nature‑guide programme and school service. Throughout the year educators lead free excursions into the surrounding Vejle River Valley, using nearby forests, meadows and waterways as living classrooms that connect directly back to themes introduced inside the center.

Designed for families, schools and curious minds

The center is deliberately multi‑sensory, with sound, light, movement and tactile elements built into almost every section. Many activities are at child height, yet the underlying content is substantial enough to engage teenagers and adults. Signage and exhibits balance Danish context with globally relevant questions, making it a useful stop for international visitors interested in how Denmark tackles sustainability. There is no full café, but a dedicated packed‑lunch room and the roof terrace invite you to pause between exhibits. A small shop focuses on sustainably produced items and educational toys, reflecting the broader ethos of the place. With free admission and generous opening hours from February to late December, Økolariet works as a targeted outing or an unhurried half‑day deep dive into how we might live more lightly on the planet.