EFFEKT has revealed the design for a new fast charging station for EVs (electric vehicles) “Better Energy Charge” in Sønderborg, Denmark, transforming the conventional petrol station into a park!
Completed as the first pilot project for the renewable energy company, Better Energy, with more in the pipeline, the charging park’s timber structure was designed to create a seamless and inviting mobility experience. It aims to address the pressing challenges of EV adoption and charging infrastructure across Europe while promoting the synergy between renewable energy, environmental consciousness and technology.
Unlike traditional petrol stations that rely on carbon-intensive materials such as concrete, steel, asphalt, and glass, Better Energy Charge embraces permeable surfaces, recreational spaces in natural surroundings and biobased materials. In addition, the charging station integrates local ecosystems and habitats for wildlife and plants. This integration will become even more apparent in Spring when a vibrant mix of wild meadow flora will surround the charging park – offering users a nature experience in a biodiverse space – making the charging experience more than just a practicality.
“One of the major discussions we have in Europe today concerns the resistance to the deployment of green energy technology. However, technology does not have to be in opposition to nature; in fact, it is a prerequisite for preserving the natural world and ecosystems that we inhabit and are entirely dependent on,” said EFFEKT Co-founder and Creative Director, Sinus Lynge.
“If we re-establish the idea of humans being an integral part of the natural world, architecture and infrastructure become the means to design human-nature relationships in a new way. With the design for Better Energy Charge, we hope to demonstrate to the Danish and European people that we can use technology to reconnect with nature if we are careful about getting the design right,” he continued.
Better Energy Charge implements a dynamic pricing scheme, which incentivises consumers to charge their vehicles at peak times for renewable energy.
“We want to encourage people to charge their car when there is a lot of renewable electricity in the grid by making it cheaper when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing,” said Peter Munck Søe-Jensen, EVP of Power Solutions at Better Energy. “Not only does this approach offer lower prices to users, it also helps solve long standing issues such as energy storage and ensures that the energy powering our EVs is actually green.”
A glimpse into the future of green mobility
The charging park's organic shape is designed to signal the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and is inspired by the curved car lanes that make up the charging station's primary function.
“We wanted the pavilion's design to be organic and inviting, much like Danish furniture classics. We have used nature’s own materials – the construction is built in cross-laminated timber, which binds CO2 from the atmosphere throughout its entire lifespan,” explained Sinus Lynge.
The commitment to sustainability extends throughout the lifecycle of the station, with the use of mass timber to minimise waste and enhance scalability. A modular grid system allows for easy expansion or downsizing to accommodate different site requirements, and it also enables the effortless disassembly and repurposing of building components.
“With Better Energy Charge, we had the opportunity to rethink the mobility experience by incorporating best practices from the energy, ecology, and building sectors. Electric cars take some time to charge, so in addition to essential charging facilities, it was an important consideration that the station features quality services and recreational areas in natural surroundings for drivers and passengers to rest and relax,” said Sinus Lynge.
“Electric cars are quiet, have no harmful emissions, and don't spill oil and gasoline. This allowed us to champion eco-friendly features such as a green sedum roof and flower beds that absorb rainwater and permeable paving that blurs the boundaries between the green surroundings and the driving areas," he added.
Furthermore, visitors have the opportunity to access the rooftop for a view of Better Energy’s R&D solar park or to look inside a showroom to learn more about renewable energy.