GREENHOUSE IN THE BOTANIC GARDEN BY C.F. MØLLER ARCHITECTS

The project includes a comprehensive restoration of the old hothouse in the Botanic Garden in Aarhus originally designed by C.F. Møller Architects.

In the restoration the palm house will become a new botanical knowledge centre, at the same time as the complex is extended with a new, 18 metres high tropical hothouse, in which the public can go exploring among the tree-tops.

The existing snail-shaped hothouse was well adapted to its surroundings, and it has been important to bear the existing architectural values in mind when designing the new one.

The new hothouse also uses the organic form, which is, at the same time, based on energy-conserving design solutions and on a knowledge of materials, indoor climate and technology.

Advanced calculations have ensured that form and energy consumption interact in the best possible manner.

The domed shape and the building's orientation in relation to the points of the compass have been chosen because this precise format gives the smallest surface area coupled with the largest volume, as well as the best possible sunlight incidence in winter, and the least possible in summer.

The support structure consists of 10 steel arches, which fan out around a longitudinal and a transverse axis, creating a net of rectangles of varying sizes.

FormTL planned and designed a cover for these arches made mainly of double-layered ETFE cushions, which are affixed with biaxially bent profiles due to their complex structure.

On the south-facing side, the cushions used were made with three layers, two of which were printed. Through changes in pressure, the relative positions of these printed foils can be adjusted.

This can reduce or increase, as desired, the translucence of the cushions, changing the light and heat input of the building.

Location: Aarhus, Denmark

Architects: C.F. Møller

Engineering: Søren Jensen Rådgivende Ingeniører

Landscape: C.F. Møller

Size: 3300 m2(1242 m2new tropical hothouse and 2071 m2 renovation and rebuild of existing hothouse

Year: 2009-2013

Competition: 1. prize in architectural competition. 2009

Client: The University of Aarhus by Danish University and Property Agency

VUC SYD BY AART ARCHITECTS + ZENI ARCHITECTS

The new education centre for VUC Syd in Haderslev, Denmark, has no traditional classrooms.

 

Instead, it appears as a vibrant and visually engaging educational environment, in which group areas, presentation spaces, dialogue cubicles and quiet zones allow for a more diverse approach to education.

Inspired by its unique location on Haderslev’s waterfront the new education centre has been designed as an atrium building, with a 360° view of the city and the harbour. The education centre’s terraces are a key element in its expression.

In a movement, which starts right down at ground level and ends up on the top floor, the terraces twine around the building, creating a vertical schoolyard and uniting indoors and outdoors in a single gesture. However, the education centre is not only about making a distinctive mark on Haderslev’s waterfront.

It also provides the setting for a future-oriented educational environment by combining expertise with modern information technology and innovative teaching methods. Therefore, the education centre has no permanent classrooms.

Instead, it is has been designed as a vibrant and visually engaging educational environment, united by the atrium and the staggered staircase at the heart of the building. To create a clear educational environment the floors have been divided into subject areas.

The first floor is dedicated to science subjects, the second floor to cultural subjects and the third floor to modern languages. Thus, the education centre challenges the traditional notion of a school built up on the basis of permanent classrooms, in favour of a more flexible model in relation both to distribution of space and the flow of the students.

This design approach creates a far more vibrant and effective educational environment, in which team areas, lecture rooms, dialogue cubicles, quiet zones and sports facilities allow for a more diverse approach to education.

Modern IT has been given high priority in the design and layout of the education centre. For example, every student is issued with his/her own iPad or MacBook, while 165 digital touch screens in different sizes have been integrated as a natural component of the educational environment.

Contact to the city has also been given high priority. This finds expression in the public ground floor, which encompasses the public space into the education centre and includes a culture café and lecture theatre, which provides space for larger-scale events.

Location: Haderslev, Denmark

Architects: AART Architects, ZENI Architects

Engineer: Cowi

Area: 8600.0 m2

Year: 2013

Photographs: Adam Moerk

SCHMIDT HAMMER LASSEN ARCHITECTS WINS SKANDERBORG SPORTS AND ADMINISTRATION CENTRE COMPETITION

The new complex is located in a recently established natural resort, Anebjergskov, in the northern part of Skanderborg. Functionally, the project is divided into four zones: arrival, meeting centre, sports facilities and administration centre.

All functions are linked together by the arrival area that runs through the entire complex. From the arrival area a direct view into the hall of the city council and the sports centre can be obtained, contributing to the experience that the functions of the building are informal and accessible to the citizen.

In the administration centre, with 700 work spaces, a dynamic and flexible interior office design creates the surroundings for an attractive working environment. The sports centre consists of a double hall that can be divided into two handball fields with seating capacity for 1,700 spectators.

The design of the double hall makes it possible to open towards the outdoor landscape, offering the opportunity to organize events taking place both indoors and outdoors. It has been architecturally important to create a robust complex that appears inviting for all citizens, no matter their social background, age or culture. That is why the outdoor arrival areas are designed to be open and inviting.

The outdoor areas invite active use and are carefully integrated alongside the parking areas in the undulating landscape. The architectural idea is to create an experience where buildings and landscape merge together. “The landscape plays an active part in how to experience the entire complex. We create a place where inside and outside merge – a place that invites active use and relaxation – both during and after opening hours”, explained Trine Berthold, associated partner at schmidt hammer lassen architects.

Several sustainable measures are incorporated in the design of the building, such as optimized use of daylight, natural ventilation and an efficient building envelope. Green plants are used on selected facades as solar screening while indoor green walls increase biodiversity and contribute to a good indoor climate. The aim is to be certified DGNB Silver. The project is expected to be completed in autumn 2016.

Location: Skanderborg, Denmark 
Architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects 
Engineer: Bascon A/S 
Landscape architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects 
Contractor: KPC A/S 
Area: 18,424 square metres 
Year: 2013 
Client: Skanderborg Municipality

HENNING LARSEN WINS THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SILKEBORG COMPETITION

Henning Larsen Architects has been selected as one of two winners in the competition for a 22,500 m2 new Technical College in Silkeborg, Denmark.

Construction of the new Technical College Silkeborg is expected to finish in 2016. The project is based on the vision of encouraging social interaction and knowledge-sharing across study programmes.

The college is designed to become a gathering point, promoting educational expertise while at the same time fostering a strong sense of community across study programmes.

A large central atrium forms the heart of the building and will become the place where students meet and the various study fields merge.

The new building will provide the setting for the school’s courses in Art and Creativity, Health and Gastronomy, IT and Technology, Media and Communication as well as Design and Crafts.

In addition, the new college will offer 200 student residences. Henning Larsen Architects’ concept design has been developed in collaboration with Moe Consulting Engineers and LIW Planning.

The team was up against four teams led by some of Denmark’s leading architectural companies. Aarstiderne Architects is the second of the two winners, and the two winning teams will now further develop their designs so that one final winner can be announced in the beginning of 2014.