AART to Revitalize Aarhus Port District

with Terraced, Mixed-Use Complex

14:10 - 6 February, 2017

by Patrick Lynch

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AART to Revitalize Aarhus Port District with Terraced, Mixed-Use Complex

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AART Architects

AART Architects has won a competition to design a significant new residential and
commercial complex in the heart of Aarhus , the newly developed port district of Aarhus,
Denmark. The winning proposal, dubbed the Nicolinehus, focuses on injecting life and
authenticity into the new port district and [paving] the way for the unique opportunities the
setting provides. Its design draws inspiration from the old residential blocks of the city
center, rethinking the courtyard block typology into a hybrid of classic residential block and
terraced landscape.
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AART Architects

Partnering with property developer Bricks and landscape architect Schnherr, AART
Architect sought to merge the function and aesthetics of the two different architectural
approaches to create a whole that creates a sense of community and vibrancy.

The encounter between the rigid structure of the square and the staggered surfaces of the
terraced landscape creates a visionary architectural work open and vibrant, and with views
aplenty, where people will live their lives in courtyards and roof gardens, and on balconies,
explain the architects in a press release.

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 AART Architects

The approximately 40,000 square meter (430,000 square foot) complex is divided into
separate residential and commercial sections, which connect the building to the nearby
marina and harbor swimming pool. Nicolinehus is organized around two courtyards, shaping
views to important city landmarks including the verdant woodland of Riis Skov, the old
marina and the historical city centre. Roof gardens provide residents and workers with
platforms to take in these these vistas.

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AART Architects
In addition to the building form, Nicolinehus draw from the material tradition of the historic
housing blocks, utilizing a textured red brick which has been processed in different ways to
invest the faade with life and personality. Along the stairways, the brick has been
perforated to bring in daylight and to project an imprint of the circulation on the buildings
facade. In other locations, it protrudes to create bay-window-like openings.

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AART Architects

This is modern architecture with a flair for craftsmanship, state the architects. This is
architecture created to look as beautiful in the future as it looks today. It is resilient and tough
and will withstand the weather conditions on the waterfront.