A new public park by Microsoft’s datacentre in Høje-Taastrup

The new park is about more than providing green, local areas. It exemplifies an approach where the development of digital infrastructure is also intended to enrich the daily lives of the people living nearby.

The park has emerged as an extension of the necessary landscape infrastructure around the datacentre, such as rainwater management and noise protection. The municipality wanted larger green areas, the client supported the idea, and this paved the way for a design process with Gottlieb Paludan Architects.

The aim was to create something of lasting value for the local community – a space that encourages interaction, supports biodiversity, and thoughtfully integrates the datacentre into its surrounding environment.

The design team used surplus local soil to create natural sound barriers and undulating terrain, serving both aesthetic and acoustic purposes. Existing trees and vegetation were preserved and supplemented with new trees and shrubs, so the park felt well-established from day one. Water features with new ponds and a planting strategy based on native species – including wildflower meadows, thickets and open groves – promote biodiversity and provide habitats for local wildlife.

Although the park is already in use by residents, the landscape will continue to evolve. It may take ten to twenty years before the vegetation is fully mature. Flexibility and generosity are embedded in the design, allowing the community itself to influence future uses – for example through the addition of playgrounds, further planting, or new gathering spaces.

This approach reflects a growing trend in sustainable urban development: public–private collaboration on technical facilities that combine ecological considerations with open access for citizens. Officeparken in Høje-Taastrup demonstrates that a datacentre can be more than just technical digital infrastructure. It can also be a neighbour, a partner – and a park.