Aarhus
2014 - 2018
The future of wood construction is hybrid
Sustainability is the entire story
‘Sustainable Non-profit Housing of the Future’ was the ambitious headline of the open competition for a series of demonstration housing schemes launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Cities, Housing and Rural Areas, the city of Aarhus, and the non-profit housing administrator AL2bolig.
Vandkunsten Architects won the competition with a proposal introducing a proven construction system using solid wood elements, and facades from untreated wood. This is our idea of contemporary Danish wood architecture
The project rates high on all the quantifiable measures of sustainability: energy consumption, daylight, carbon footprint etc. Furthermore we have used durability as an overall strategy towards resource conservation.
The project is certified for DGNB Gold
High density, low height and multiple storeys
The competition partners aim at demonstrate two typical types of housing in Denmark: High density, low height and multiple storey-housing. In this way the project will be part of further developing the strong national tradition for housing architecture. The housing scheme will be economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable, in the widest sense of the words.
Winner of European architecture award for social housing
The jury has appreciated the construction concept of the buildings and the long term thinking, the ecological impact also related to the circular economy, the quality of common spaces and half private spaces in between volumes, the optimization and flexibility of the plans, the low costs. All these aspects have an incredible potential in the development of the system proposed for social housing, states the jury of the VII's edition of the Matilde Baffa Ugo Rivolta European Architecture Award, 2019
Roofscape and wood interiors
The wood-based construction system is visible on interior wooden surfaces and in the variations in roof heights. Also the placement of window openings is very flexible.
Masterplan
The first stage of the masterplan (right) has been completed.
Designed for reuse
We work intensely with the construction details so the components and materials of the housing of the future can be used over and over.
We have set out five steps for the development of a better building practice
Wood based construction system
Reversible construction system
Climate adapted construction techniques
Sense of ownership and community
Mental ressources
Hybrid timer construction with timber, steel, and concrete
Project facts
Facts
Project name: Social Housing on Lisbjerg Hill
Category:Housing, R&D, Træ, Wood
Client: AL2bolig
Location: Aarhus
Gross area: 4.100 m²
Date: 2014 - 2018
Status: Finished
Number of units: 40 and a community house
Cost of construction: DKK 56 mio
Project
Program: Non-profit social housing, community house
Activity: New construction
Job type: 1. Prize in open competition
Construction system: Hybrid - Solid wood with facades of untreated wood. Concrete core and parts of the deck
Contact: Kim Dalgaard, kd@vandkunst.dk
Project group: Kim Dalgaard, Mirjam Hallin, Sigurd Vinde Akselsen, Søren Nielsen, Rasmus Olsen, Katrine West Kristensen, Martin Erik Andersen, Nel Jan Schipull
Team
Architect: Vandkunsten Architects
Landscape: Vandkunsten Architects
Engineer: Moe