On the top of the hills, Egebjerg Hills, in Stenstrup lies the more than 150-year old mill, Egebjerg Mill. Following extensive renovation from 2008-2014, the mill now serves as both communication and teaching centre. You are afforded a magnificent view of the South Funen archipelago from the distinctive top mill structure – an octagonal, rotated prism designed by Praksis Architects.

Cultural Heritage & Local Community

According to the mill guild, Egebjerg Møllelaug, a successful cooperation between local trailblazers, the municipality and architects made the spectacular renovation of the mill possible, which has created value for the local community. Besides testifying to the cultural heritage of the area, the mill has created a sense of local pride and become a rallying point in Egebjerg Bakker with its many uses for both teaching, excursions and self-organised activities. Its success is revealed by the annual visitor numbers of 17,000 visitors in 2014 and 15,000 visitors in both 2015 and 2016 against expected visitor numbers of around 10,000 visitors per year. Per M. Jensen, Chairman of Egebjerg Møllelaug, talks about the success of the mill in the guild’s annual newsletter for 2017.

“Chile, the Czech Republic, China, New Zealand, Tønder, Lyngby, the USA and Søborg are but a few of the places our visitors come from” [...] “We have had the Nature Room for three years now, and have had a lot of visitors, an average of 15,000 per year – a number we can be proud of.” 

Identity & Branding

The top of Egebjerg Mill has been designed by Praksis Architects. The spectacular top serves as a lookout tower and has, in Egebjerg Møllelaug’s own words, become the hallmark of the mill. Many people with an interest in architecture come to Stenstrup to see the mill. In March 2016, Per M. Jensen wrote to the Danish Association of Architectural Firms about the positive feedback: 

“We receive a lot of positive feedback from people about the design and layout and communication of the mill, but also about the prism and its construction and functionality. Many have had lunch and champagne inside the prism while enjoying the view. [...] Our guest book shows that visitors come from all over Denmark, in fact, for some reason or other people, from all over the world have found their way to the mill. Among them a team of international architectural students from the University of Lund, (Sweden) who were primarily here to study the details of the glass prism structure.”

About the case

Egebjerg Mill disseminates knowledge about the beautiful surrounding Ice Age landscape across the various exhibition floors to inspire visitors to go out and explore the nature. The mill offers room for relaxation and contemplation, teaching and local events. Inside the distinctive glass top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of South Funen. The top is based on the octagonal external gallery at the centre of the mill and is an octagonal glass prism that has been rotated 25 degrees. The rotation adds a sense of dynamic to the mill, referencing the former sails, and evokes associations of the ice formation that initially shaped the landscape around the mill. At the bottom of the prism, eight windows can be opened mechanically, and at the top, a small section can be opened for ventilation. The delicate structure is self-supporting and made of glass-blasted stainless steel. 

After a lengthy and passionate local effort in cooperation with Egebjerg Møllelaug, Naturturisme, the Danish Outdoor Council and Praksis Architects, the mill has now been transformed into a popular attraction. This is evinced by the large visitor numbers and the guest book, which is full of positive feedback from the locals as well as Danish and international tourists and architecture connoisseurs.