School for Life

School for Life

A two-storey primary school built from bio-based, recycled, and low-embodied-energy materials — with no compromises.

Place
Lendemarke (Denmark)
Architect
Client's team
Size
528 m²
Year
2018

Project Overview

School for Life is a 528 m² two-storey primary school located in Lendemarke on the island of Møn, Denmark, completed in 2018. The building was developed by the client's own team — a deliberate choice that placed ecological priorities at the centre of every design decision.

The exterior wall system is formed by 268 m² of EcoCocon prefabricated straw panels, finished with clay plaster on interior faces and thermally modified spruce cladding on the exterior. Partition walls were constructed from compressed unfired clay bricks. The roof combines wood wool insulation with loose eelgrass as the outer roofing layer — one of the most materially consistent bio-based roof assemblies in contemporary European construction. Flooring uses reused oak and reclaimed Øland stone throughout. Solar panels on the existing site building supply electricity.

A lifecycle carbon comparison with a conventionally built school of equivalent size found that where the reference building emits 112 tonnes of CO₂, School for Life sequesters 32 tonnes — a net difference of 144 tonnes.

PROJECT PARTNERS

Architect: Client's own team

Engineer: Glarbo & White

Client: Liselund Slot Holding a/s

"

In addition to being a splendid insulation material, EcoCocon has created a healthy indoor microclimate with great air quality. We were also impressed by the ease and speed of construction using the EcoCocon panels.

Steffen Steffensen

Director and Owner, Liselund Fontænen

Project image

Key Features

  • 528 m² two-storey school, completed in 2018

  • 268 m² of EcoCocon straw wall panels

  • Exterior: clay render and thermally modified spruce cladding

  • Interior walls: compressed unfired clay bricks (CEB), clay plaster finish

  • Roof: wood wool insulation with a loose eelgrass outer layer

  • Flooring: reused oak and reclaimed Øland stone

  • Diffusion-open clay plaster interior — naturally regulates humidity and supports healthy indoor air quality

  • Reduced construction time compared to traditional methods: EcoCocon panels assembled in 5 days by a team of 6

IMPACT

  • 26.2 tonnes of CO₂ stored in EcoCocon straw panels alone — biogenic carbon locked into the structure for its full lifetime

  • 32 tonnes of CO₂ sequestered across the full building — including timber, wood fibre, eelgrass, and reused materials

  • Net carbon advantage vs a conventionally built school of equivalent size: 144 tonnes CO₂

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If buildings shape our world, why not use materials that care for it?

If buildings shape our world, why not use materials that care for it?

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What Do People Say about EcoCocon?

Seeing natural materials delivered with factory precision was compelling, resulting in a home that far outperforms conventional construction in comfort and performance.

Brandon Clemenson

Stanley Bragg Architects

We work with EcoCocon products because they enable healthy, ecological, and sustainable construction while respecting both the environment and future homeowners. Their thermal performance, bio-based design, and ability to create durable, highly efficient building envelopes reinforce our commitment to this partnership.

Joahn Jaegli, EO Bois

France

EcoCocon integrates well into my design process, combining high-precision prefabrication I can rely on with efficient time-saving design and precise on-site execution.

Carl-Fredrik Johansson

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