Jens Kinch
Associated / Teamleader / Manager Urbanism & Landscape / Landscape Architect MDL
Aarhus
jbk@aart.dk
+45 41 72 08 03
Katrinebjerg Campus
From a business area to a university campus
Location
Aarhus, Denmark
Client
FEAS
Size
68,700 sqm
Status
Under development
Architect
AART
The masterplan describes the combined vision behind Katrinebjerg's future development with principles and guidelines for a connected city campus.
The former business area at Katrinebjerg has since the 50's developted and adapted to the companies' pragmatic needs over time and related to the overall structure of streets and squares. The purpose of the new masterplan is to transform the area and bring it into play as one of Aarhus University's three future campus areas - Aarhus' University Park, the University City, and Katrinebjerg Campus. This is achieved by creating a new urban structure with recreational outdoor spaces, a diversity of functions and better conditions for soft road users.
The campus street will be the unifying element in the new urban structure with the aim of creating a connection between the recreational outdoor spaces and many functions in the area. At the same time, the street will create a close interaction with the existing part of Aarhus University in the form of the University Park. In addition to the direct connections, this will be done by adding the new campus area its own architectural identity as a contrast to the yellow University Park and the upcoming red University City - and together the three campuses will embrace the future of Aarhus University.
A unifying promenade as the backbone
Campusstrøget is the defining urban space and central element of the campus structure. The promenade connects buildings, squares and spaces for gathering, creating cohesion across an area characterised by a diverse building fabric.
Brick is the recurring material, tying the urban space together from façade to façade and along the entire length of the promenade. The paving supports wayfinding and accessibility, while darker bricks highlight step edges and drainage channels. Along the promenade, a series of smaller squares emerge, each with its own character. They are designed using the same materials, but with varied patterns and softer forms that contrast with the linear course of the promenade.
Read more about Campusstrøget and the landscape design approach in the case here.
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