Brorfelde Observatory

Brorfelde Observatory, located south of Holbæk on Zealand, served as a branch of the University of Copenhagen’s observatory from 1953 until 1996. Over these decades, it was a bustling centre where astronomers, students, engineers, and craftsmen collaborated with a shared passion for unlocking the mysteries of the universe. Together, they designed and built telescopes and precision components from scratch, pioneering advancements in astronomy. However, as digital technology evolved, the observatory’s telescope manufacturing gradually diminished, leading to its closure in 1996.

In 2016 – 20 years later – the observatory was reopened as a discovery and learning centre where school students, families, and other visitors were invited to explore astronomy, geology, engineering, and biology. It retains three telescopes, including the Schmidt telescope, Denmark’s largest professional telescope.

Today, the observatory grounds and surrounding landscape are designated as a preservation area, ensuring the site’s unique darkness and uninterrupted view of the starry sky across 40 hectares.

The preservation initiative includes a comprehensive landscape and nature management plan focused on conservation, trails, educational programs, and recreational activities. Within this framework, TERROIR, in association with Catapult Projects, have contributed a permanent installation to the Nature Furniture project—a series of six landscape interventions designed by 7 different artists, designers and architects to immerse visitors in Brorfelde’s distinct environment through art and architecture.