Horsens
2003 - 2007
Community House in the Old Factory
At Vandkunsten Architects our track record for working in the non-profit sector is long. We have designed houses for a variety of communities – from small units with laundry facilities or meeting rooms – to larger multi functional commmunity houses.
In Horsens we have built the latter – as part of a major renovation of the non-profit housing scheme Horsens West Towne (Vestbyen), we have transformed the old N.C. Nielsen Factory. The original masonry building was built in 1900. The necessary insulation has been added from the exterior in order to maintain and enhance the industrial character of the existing spaces.
Focus on the openings
The old masonry structure was stripped and the distinct openings are enhanced by the design of the exterior insulating structure. We aimed at preserving details and character of distinct masonry architecture of the industrial building built around 1900.
The expression of the historical masonry structure is left raw and exposed because the new windows are oversized and placed on the outside of the facade.
Keywords in the project are: general use, flexibility, and close and local collaboration.
The house has a café, a stage, workshops, and community meeting rooms.
Project Facts
Building Data
Project Name: Community House in West Towne (Vestbyen)
Category:Culture & Institutions, Renovation
Client: Horsens Kommune og Kvarterløftprojektet støttet af LOA-fonden og Realdania
Location: Horsens
Gross Area: 1.200 m²
Date: 2003 - 2007
Status: Opført
Construction Cost: Ca 17 mio.kr.
The Task
Program: Beboerhus/kulturhus
Activity: Transformation/energirenovering
Contact: Rasmus Kragh Bjerregaard, rkb@vandkunst.dk
Contact Group:Rasmus Kragh Bjerregaard, Thomas Nybo Rasmussen, Flemming Ibsen
Employees: Steffen Kragh og Jens Peter Kragh
Consultant Team
Architect: Vandkunsten
Landscape: Vandkunsten
Engineer: Oluf Jørgensen A/S