The University of Aarhus

The University of Aarhus. C.F. Møller. Photo: Jan Kofod Winther

Client

Danish Ministry of Education

Address

Aarhus, Denmark

Size

200000 m²

Year

1931-

Competition

1st prize in open competition. 1931

Framework agreement 1996-

The University of Aarhus, which dates from 1931, is a unique and coherent university campus with consistent architecture, homogenous use of yellow brickwork and adaptation to the landscape.

The University of Aarhus, with its extensive park in central Aarhus, includes teaching rooms, offices, libraries, workshops and student accommodation. The university has a distinct homogeneous building style and utilization of the natural contours of the landscape. The campus has emerged around a distinct moraine gorge and the buildings for the departments and faculties are placed on the slopes, from the main buildings alongside the ring road to the center of the city at Nørreport. All throughout the campus, the buildings are variations of the same clear-cut prismatic volume with pitched roofs, oriented orthogonally to form individual architectural clusters sharing the same vocabulary. The way the buildings emerge from the landscape makes them seem to grow from it, rather than being superimposed on the site.

The University has won renown and praise as an integrated complex which unites the best aspects of functionalism with solid Danish traditions in form and materials. C.F. Møller has directed the design of the university buildings from the beginning to the present day.

SHOW MORE PROJECT INFO

Team

Architect

C.F. Møller Architects

Landscape

C. Th. Sørensen og C.F. Møller Landscape

Awards

  • Selected by the Danish Ministry of Culture for the canon of Danish art and culture, a canon comprising indispensable Danish works of art. 2006
  • 1st prize in open competition. 1931
  • Framework agreement 1996-

Energy and sustainability

Daylight

Ventilation

Energy efficient design

Low energy windows

Energy renovation

Flexibility

Healthy building

Noise minimization

References

  • 2016 mur+betong #3, p.56
  • 2016 Speech magazine #16, p. 40-41
  • 2014 International new Landscape, Interaktive Design 53. p. 94-103
  • 2014 Time Space Existence, made in Europe, p. 60-65
  • 2013 db Deutsche Bauzeitung #12, p.16-17
  • 2013 Masonry Material and Structure, p. 128-139
  • 2013 Aarhus | Arkitektur, Turbine, p. 174-191
  • 2011 En verden i tegl, historien om Pipers Teglværker og kunsten at brænde tegl p. 88
  • 2011 University Planning and Architecture p. 40 - 45
  • 2008 Århus fra oven, p. 116-119
  • 2007 1001 buildings you must see before you die, p. 802
  • 2007 Top 50 - Arkitektur i Århus, p. 58-61
  • 2006 Global Danish Architecture #1, p. 70 - 73
  • 2004 Arkitektur DK #2, p. 144-45
  • 2004 Building Design, April 23: The Møller's tale.
  • 2004 C.F. Møller: Samfund og Menneske
  • 2003 egg magazine, May edition p. 132-137
  • 2001 Lulu Salto Stephensen: Danmarks Havekunst, vol. 2 p. 411-414
  • 1999 Tom Danielsen, Klavs Hyttel og Mads Møller: Fugls Højde, p. 18-21
  • 1998 Velfærdssamfund og boliger for folket (Jubilæumsnummer af Arkitekten, 100 år)
  • 1998 Nils-Ole Lund: Bygmesteren
  • 1995 Tobias Faber m.fl.: Kay Fisker, p. 52-57
  • 1994 Udstilling på Stenomuseet: "Århus Universitets Bygninger”
  • 1993 Mads Møller: Romantik og Snusfornuft, p. 14, 28, 41
  • 1991 Casabella #584: L'università di Aarhus - un progetto di lunga durata
  • 1966 Arkitektur DK #4, p. 142-49
  • 1962 Arkitektur DK #4, p. 42-52
  • 1960 Landskab #6, p. 66-68
  • 1949 Arkitekten p. 185-208
  • 1935 Arkitekten, boliger ved Aarhus Universitet, p.123-26
  • 1934 Arkitekten, p. 1-16
  • 1931 Arkitekten p. 241-44

Education

NEW ISLANDS BRYGGE SCHOOL

A new middle school building at Islands Brygge sets the framework for physical, sensory and experience-based learning, with special focus on diet and movement.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AARHUS

The University of Aarhus, which dates from 1931, is a unique and coherent university campus with consistent architecture, homogenous use of yellow brickwork and adaptation to the landscape.

VIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CAMPUS HORSENS

A new visionary campus that will unify different education programs in a vibrant and active educational setting deeply rooted in the city.

CBS - CAMPUS IN SOCIETY

Masterplan for Copenhagen Business School with the ambition to create one of the world’s best city campuses.

NEW TIUNDA SCHOOL

Modern school and pre-school with the aim to create a future-proof learning environment, attractive, safe and accessible to everyone.

THE HEART IN IKAST

'The Heart' in Ikast is a new meeting point for culture and communication that combines education, activities, community, exercise and recreational pursuits in new ways.

TÄBY PARK SCHOOL

The proposal for the new Täby Park School creates urban life, and unites the city and its green spaces through its form and functionality.

COPENHAGEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - NORDHAVN

New school building for the Copenhagen International School designed to link the school premises with the public sphere in the urban environment.

HERNINGSHOLM VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

Vocational school with a focus on creating optimal learning environments that recognizes architecture's significant impact on learning processes.

MAERSK TOWER, EXTENSION OF THE PANUM COMPLEX AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

The Maersk Tower is a state-of-the-art research building whose innovative architecture creates the optimum framework for world-class health research.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL BALI

New school on Bali inspired by the Montessori principles, emphasising interaction with nature and freedom to become absorbed through inquisitiveness and play.

MOLDE CULTURAL SCHOOL

An inspiring new framework for cultural activities at Molde’s old prison site. The culture school integrates Molde’s former prison and town hall, both of which are listed buildings.

DOMUS MEDIA

Interior and exterior restoration of the West Wing of Domus Media and the Main Hall at the University of Oslo.

NEW OGNA SCHOOL

Modern, future-oriented learning environment in the Norwegian town of Ogna - and also the local gathering point.

THE TECHNICAL FACULTY - SDU

The Technical Faculty constitutes a shared research and education environment for four different institutes at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IKAST-BRANDE

New building for the International School Ikast-Brande including a school, after-school and kindergarten

NEW AUDITORIUM AT AALBORG UNIVERSITY

New auditorium designed as a landmark and a characteristic hallmark for the university and centrally located meeting spaces for employees and students.

TEKO CENTER DENMARK

Clothing and knitwear school in Birk Centerpark near Herning, Denmark.

IHA KATRINEBJERG

New facilities for the IHA Engineering College of Aarhus.

SØLVGADE SCHOOL

Renovation and extension of Denmark's oldest school built in 1847.

THE A.P. MØLLER SCHOOL

Danish co-educational school for the Danish School Association of Southern Schleswig.

VITUS BERING INNOVATION PARK

Extension to the educational institution University College Vitus Bering Denmark, with room for both teaching and entrepreneurs.

NAVITAS

Competition proposal for Navitas Park, a new hub for innovation, education and energy on the docklands of Aarhus.

ÄLVSTRANDEN EDUCATION CENTRE

A conversion of the existing Älvstrandsgymnasiet into an education centre with i.e. primary school, grammar school, and adult education.

AARHUS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Institute of higher education in the north of Aarhus, built up around relaxation and courtyard spaces.

AUTO COLLEGE

New-built educational facilities including teaching, workshops and administration for one of Denmark's largest technical colleges within the motor industry.

BUSINESS COLLEGE SØNDERBORG

Extension of Business College Sønderborg as well as redesign of the school building erected in 1968.

CHILDREN'S HOUSE DRAGEN

One of the first Danish kindergartens to be built as a passive house, with minimal energy consumption.

HERNING GYMNASIUM

Extension and rebuilding of Herning Secondary School.

SWEDISH NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE | SWEDISH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

New educational facilities, library, auditorium, teaching rooms, relaxation areas and offices.

NOBELPARKEN, AARHUS

Building complex with educational, business and residential purposes.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK

University campus complex near Esbjerg, Denmark.

AUDITORIUMS, UNIVERSITY OF AARHUS

Building complex with shared auditorium facilities for the University of Aarhus.

THE POUL DUE JENSEN ACADEMY - GRUNDFOS

Education and college complex in Bjerringbro for Grundfos.

HOLTET VGS

Extension and redesign of further education college.

THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY

Transformation of a former hospital complex to educational functions.

AARHUS TECHNICAL ACADEMY NORTH

Educational establishment of low-rise buildings with high density.