The two brick structures, dating from the 1940s and 1950s, represent a milestone for residential construction in Aarhus and in Denmark generally. Their renovation sets high ambitions for both individual aspects and the overall project, with focus on community and energy optimisation, as well as sound landscaping and structural solutions.

Department 2, Søvangen, is gaining a new community centre, which – besides being a natural gathering point – includes function rooms, space for operational staff, creative workshops for residents, a kitchen, and a sculpture and sculpting yard. The community centre is designed as a contemporary re-interpretation of the building’s classical yellow-brick architecture.

The renovation project’s solutions have been created on the basis of extensive systematic resident involvement, with full resident democracy and close cooperation with the departments’ boards. During the renovation, temporary accommodation is being arranged by dividing the project into stages, so that the residents affected can move to other departments.

The homes’ façades are being replaced, with focus on a modern interpretation of the brick architecture that characterises the two departments. The buildings’ dimensions are being conserved and brought back to their original elegant appearance using new components, technical upgrades and future-proof solutions.

Some of the departments originally consisted of temporary buildings, which have nevertheless proved to have fine housing qualities. This means that they are now being conserved and upgraded with more robust materials, to make them permanent. This includes reusing stone from the other buildings in the housing association’s departments.

This project thus supports the ambition of gentle renovation and enhanced quality that will be durable far into the future.