Helledalen rainwater basins and treatment ponds

Helledalen – a hilly melt water valley, which flows into Nørresø - is located east of Viborg. Here, LYTT Architecture has devised a project for the design and incorporation of rainwater basins that function as treatment ponds for the water from the part of the town called Overlund, before directing the water into one of Viborg’s two large lakes; Nørresø

The project is called the “Drops in Helledalen” and consists of four new basins made from sheet piling, established in terraces down through the valley. The sheet pilings are clad with corten steel (weathering steel) partly as a finish of the sheet pilings seen from above and partly as geometric shapes on the outside of the sheet pilings – seen from below. The rainwater basins are merge with a path connection as a recreational element that offers opportunity for stays and experiences by the water. Water brakes in the basins ensure that there is a permanent water level all year around and during rainfall occurrences the water flows beyond the southern edge like a waterfall.

In 2019, the “Drops in Helledalen” received honourable mention at Arkiteurens Pris (The Architecture’s Award) in Viborg with the following explanation: “The project is honered for adapting and integrating a technical facility in nature, so that it does not damage the surrounding landscape, but on the contrary highlights and stages the landscape course through Helledalen to Nørresø. Architecturally, it is thus a very nice project – but at the same time the project highlights and illustrates the changeability of nature from rainfall occurrences with violent natural forces to quiet and peaceful area with the stagnant, shiny lakes terraced towards Nørresø.

Projektet er blevet hædret ved Arkitekturens Pris 2019 i Viborg.