Denmark’s first brand-new school of architecture opens in Aarhus

Aarhus School of Architecture has moved to a new address in the Godsbanen urban district in the heart of Aarhus, and is marking the move with a festival of architecture. The new school of architecture is characterised by a raw and industrial style – with good acoustics thanks to the Troldtekt ceilings, that also help to create a warm contrast.

True to tradition, Aarhus School of Architecture opened its doors to students at the beginning of the academic year, but not everything is the same as usual. A brand-new building is ready to welcome a new generation of architecture students. Denmark’s first newly built school of architecture, NEW AARCH, will be officially inaugurated on Monday 4 October.

After 50 years of being housed in an old merchant’s house and ten other addresses in and around Nørreport, Aarhus School of Architecture has been handed the keys to a new 12,500-square-metre building on the site of the former railway yard which is now home to nearby Godsbanen, a thriving cultural centre.

A two-day festival packed with architectural input from Denmark and abroad will help mark the opening of the new school. The Opening Architecture Festival will be held on 7-8 October 2021.

A raw architecture laboratory

The school’s rector, Torben Nielsen, calls the building a “raw architecture laboratory”, because NEW AARCH is designed as a simple and raw physical framework that invites creative passion from the students. Concrete, glass, wood and steel are the recurring materials, chosen on account of their robustness and out of a desire to create a simple workshop-like building with an industrial feel.

The drawing rooms and large open spaces feature grey Troldtekt acoustic ceilings with square panels. In the enclosed spaces in the concrete cores, black-painted Troldtekt acoustic panels have been chosen. The materials inside are carefully balanced, and the design solutions in wood – the Troldtekt panels, the windowsills, the cross-cut timber floors and the beautiful mezzanine library 16 metres up – create a warm contrast to the raw steel and concrete surfaces.

“We are proud of being part of this local project with an international format. Future generations of architects now have an inspiring and functional environment in which to conceive and design beautiful solutions for sustainable buildings. At Troldtekt, we’re delighted to be part of this,” says Peer Leth, CEO of Troldtekt A/S.

Facts about NEW AARCH

• 12,500 square metres of premises at Exners Plads near Godsbanen in central Aarhus.
• Executed by a team comprising ADEPT, the Danish Building and Property Agency, Triconsult, Steensen Varming, A. Enggaard A/S, Vargo Nielsen Palle, Rolvung & Brøndsted Arkitekter and Lendager Group.
• In week 40 (4-10 October), the school has organised a number of events to celebrate the move to the new building. On 4 October, the school’s birthday, the new building will be officially inaugurated. On 7-8 October, the school is hosting the Opening Architecture Festival, and on Saturday 9 October, there is an open-house event for all of Aarhus.
• The school library will be open to the public.