Aarhus BSS
The university of the future in historical surroundings
Location
Aarhus
Client
FEAS
Size
37.000 kvm
Status
Under construction
Architect
AART
Landscape
LYTT
Contractor
A. Enggaard
Engineer
Niras
Photos
AU Foto
With the transformation of Aarhus’ former municipal hospital, a new chapter has been written in the story of Aarhus University. Today, the historic hospital grounds have been transformed into University City – an open, vibrant, and integrated urban campus where research, education, and everyday life merge in the heart of Aarhus. Here, the red-brick buildings provide the setting for, among others, Aarhus BSS in a modern study and research environment that builds on the university’s strong architectural heritage while also pointing toward the university of the future.
A new chapter for Aarhus University
University City and Aarhus BSS are rooted in the ambition to create one unified campus across Nørrebrogade, where the University Park’s distinctive yellow landscape and identity continue into the new red-brick University City. Green connections, new passages beneath the road, and open urban spaces physically and experientially tie the area together, so the campus is no longer perceived as two separate places – but as one cohesive university landscape in the heart of Aarhus.
A modern learning environment in historic surroundings
The transformation is founded on respect for the site’s existing architecture and history. The distinctive red-brick buildings have been preserved and carefully transformed, while new buildings and additions continue the area’s robust materiality and simple architectural principles in a contemporary architectural language. The result is a campus environment where old and new merge into a strong and cohesive whole with a distinct identity and a rich atmospheric quality.
Historic photograph of University City’s red-brick buildings.
PHOTO: Helene Høyer Mikkelsen
An architectural and social gathering point
At the heart of University City, the public square and the new auditorium building bring campus life together. The large circular city auditorium serves as a new gathering point for the entire area – a place where teaching, student life, and urban life meet.
The building’s open ground floor and transparent façade create a close connection between inside and outside, while cafés, study areas, and lounge spaces invite students, faculty, and visitors alike indoors. The auditorium is conceived as more than just a teaching space; it is a vibrant microcosm of the university and a prominent meeting place between the university and the city.
Clusters of urban and student life
Throughout University City and Aarhus BSS, a strong focus has been placed on creating “clusters of life” – close connections between teaching, research, social spaces, and community. Study zones, group rooms, cafés, and informal meeting places are integrated throughout the campus environment, supporting interaction across disciplines and everyday rhythms.
The former hospital courtyards have been transformed into covered atrium spaces filled with daylight, greenery, and study activities, and today serve as central gathering spaces for the various departments.
The learning environments have been developed with a high degree of flexibility and support both traditional lectures, group work, and new forms of teaching. At the same time, research environments and study areas are closely integrated, allowing students and researchers to interact naturally in everyday life – also outside the lecture halls. The ambition has been to create a campus environment where learning, knowledge sharing, and social life merge, and where the university feels active and vibrant throughout the day.
Today, Aarhus BSS stands as a central part of University City and as a new, vibrant hub in Aarhus – a place where historic surroundings, modern learning environments, and urban life come together in one cohesive campus experience.
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