Danish Architecture Competition 2007 - News

Aarhus Harbour - docklands building
2006-22
UNStudio & 3XN Architects


Aarhus Harbour, 2022, UN Studio

Building PR: Aarhus, Denmark 16 Apr 2007

New harbour front Aarhus designed by collaborative team UNStudio and 3XN
The international consortium with UNStudio and 3XN, headed by architects Ben van Berkel and Kim Herforth Nielsen, creates a beautiful and versatile urban area on Aarhus Harbour together with Gehl Architects, comprising the tallest building in Denmark.

The proposal offers a new harbour promenade with evening sun and public access to the unique view of the bay from the top floor of the constructions. The residential facilities of this district vary with cafe environments, restaurants and open squares which enable common free-time activities. The area will have few cars – most will be parked in an underground parking facility, giving optimum conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. A very special characteristic of the area will be the mix of owner-occupied and rental houses.


Aarhus Harbour, 2022, UNStudio

”Aarhus will have the most unique harbour front in Denmark with innovative architecture created especially for this place and this city. The constructions will provide Aarhus with a spectacular and beautiful face towards the Bay of Aarhus and at the same time be safe and pleasant to live and be in,” says Kim Herforth Nielsen, architect MAA and partner of 3XN.


Aarhus Harbour, 2022, UN Studio

“The attractiveness of the views is one of the strongest points of the location; living there, you live the view. The outstanding quality of the views results in a different sort of apartment building; one in which the façade becomes as important on the inside as it is from the outside,” says Ben van Berkel from UNStudio.

Lifestyle and culture
”We have had very good cooperation about the project development and with the Municipality of Aarhus, and we are looking forward to proceeding with the project, the architecture of which is based on thorough studies of trends in culture and lifestyle, as well as due consideration of wind and weather conditions,” says Jan Pedersen, CEO of Keops Development which together with Frederiksbjerg Ejendomme is main investor in the consortium.


Aarhus Harbour, 2022, UNStudio

The consortium also counts the social housing organisations AAB and Ringgården. The group of advisors which has been in charge of the project development in cooperation with the consortium has solid international experience, also within altitude construction and construction in water. The design team consists of architects 3XN and UNStudio, Gehl Architects that specialise in urban environments and Grontmij Carl Bro as engineers.


Aarhus Harbour, 2022, UN Studio

Aarhus Harbour : Further Information



Danish Architecture

Aarhus Harbour : UNStudio

Aarhus Harbour : 3XN Architects



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Jutland building : Bang & Olufsen Denmark by KHR

Danish Architecture Competition: Vejle 2006

Comments / photos for the Aarhus Harbour page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Aarhus Waterfront - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt