A Waving Noise Barrier in Vejle – A Close Interaction Between Aesthetics and Engineering

DAV NORDIC has built a unique, wave-shaped noise barrier in Vejle that blends engineering and aesthetics. The barrier follows the curved intersection with high precision and is prepared for green vegetation. The result is a solution that reduces noise while enhancing the urban space.

At the corner of Ørstedsgade and Østerbrogade in Vejle, DAV NORDIC has constructed a noise barrier that stands out markedly from conventional linear solutions. The barrier is not just a functional measure—it is also an architectural intervention that both protects against traffic noise and contributes an aesthetic enhancement to the urban space.

With its characteristic, undulating form that curves elegantly around the busy intersection, the barrier acts as a visual focal point in the area while also solving a real noise challenge.

When the buildings disappeared, the noise arrived

The background of the project is concrete. When Vejle Municipality needed to expand the intersection between Ørstedsgade and Østerbrogade, it became necessary to demolish one or two private properties. These buildings had previously shielded the courtyard environment behind them from traffic noise. Once the buildings were gone, no noise protection remained, creating an urgent need for a new barrier that could safeguard the acoustic environment for residents.

The municipality’s project also included several architectural requirements for how the barrier should be designed. This meant that DAV NORDIC not only had to deliver a technically functional solution but also consider the design, materials, and overall expression.

“Vejle Municipality had clear architectural wishes, and it was important that the barrier not only functioned but also contributed positively to the urban space. That’s why the curved design became a key element in the solution,” says Stig Olesen, project manager at DAV NORDIC.

Curves require calculation

The aesthetic expression, in which the barrier waves across the corner in a sequence of soft curves, places high demands on both the design phase and installation. The barrier is 33 meters long and 5 meters tall, and unlike a straight construction, each panel and post must follow a precise curvature. The transition around the corner required particularly high precision and adjustment.

“The noise barrier in Vejle differs both in principle and design from the barriers we usually work with,” says Jesper Paulsen, the DAV NORDIC engineer responsible for the calculations.

The curved geometry meant that we had to approach the calculations in a completely different way—especially regarding wind load determination, both analytically and in the setup of FEM simulations. I couldn’t use the usual method; I had to dig deep into the standards to ensure that the calculations accounted for the special conditions of the curved construction.

Jesper Paulsen, engineer at DAV NORDIC

He also doesn’t hide his professional pride:
“I often notice noise barriers when I’m out and about—they come in many shapes. This one, I can honestly say, I think turned out really beautifully.”

Prepared for a green expression

Beyond its unique shape, the barrier is also designed with environmental considerations in mind: the timber cladding gives it a warm, organic appearance, and from the beginning, the structure has been planned as part of a green, lush environment.

“The architectural sketches include vegetation designed to grow up the barrier, and we naturally prepared for that. It will be exciting to see how the barrier’s appearance evolves over time as the plants take hold,” says Stig Olesen.

Over time, the vegetation will contribute to an even more aesthetic expression while strengthening the barrier’s integration into the surrounding urban space.

A project requiring collaboration and expertise

Installation of the barrier also demanded a lot. The wavy geometry and many directional changes required continuous adjustments and a highly coordinated effort. Collaboration between project management, installers, and engineers was crucial.

“Especially in the corner area, we had to be extremely precise—even small deviations would have been visible in the final shape. It required close dialogue throughout the entire process, but the result speaks for itself,” says project manager Stig Olesen.

When engineering and aesthetics go hand in hand

The noise barrier in Vejle clearly demonstrates how functional infrastructure solutions can be elevated into something more. With its flowing shape, warm material choices, and potential for green vegetation, the barrier offers more than noise protection—it creates value for the area.

The project also showcases DAV NORDIC’s ability to work at the intersection of engineering and aesthetics. When standards, requirements, and creative vision must merge into a unified whole, experience, collaboration, and precision are crucial—and that is exactly what has been achieved here.

Gallery from the project

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