The transformation of Aarhus Municipal Hospital into the University Village will create a unified campus which integrates urban life, shops, businesses, homes and public institutions, while creating a connection with the surrounding neighbourhoods. The conversion and renovation includes a redesign of research and teaching laboratories, as well as lettable offices with great views, creating attractive premises for external lease. There will be newly designed laboratories in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, for classes 1 and 2 genetic engineering work. A fish research unit will also be incorporated.

Respect for the existing buildings

The strategy for the first part of the transformation of Aarhus Municipal Hospital is to ensure a conservative approach to the architecture to preserve the homogeneity of the area. The complex mainly consists of buildings constructed for hospital operation in the mid-1950s, which are both structurally and technically dilapidated.

The building’s original design is maintained though preservation of its form and facades. All technical facilities have been switched to new up-to-date facilities. Roofs on several of the buildings have been replaced, and restored facades maintain the same expression as existing facades. The building envelope has been renovated by replacing existing steel windows with new aluminium windows, that have the same divisions and profile as the existing. As part of the renovation, surfaces, paints, floor coverings and ceiling panels have been cleaned to remove environmentally hazardous substances, asbestos, heavy metals and PVC. The building complex is expected to obtain a silver DGNB certification once the reconstruction is complete.