Residential & Hospitality

Youth Housing at Göteborg Allé

Project information

  1. Location Aarhus, Denmark
  2. Area4.600 m²
  3. Construction cost46 mill DKK

Project details

  1. Year2015 — 2017
  2. StatusCompleted
  3. Partners LB Consult
    Hustømrerne A/S
  4. Client SEB Pension A/S
  5. Enquiries Jacob Grøn Mortensen
  6. Scope Residential design
    New Build
    Social sustainability
    Landscape design
    Transformation

This centrally located office building in Aarhus has undergone a comprehensive transformation and expansion to accommodate dynamic youth housing. The redevelopment involves the addition of an extra floor, complemented by the creation of communal courtyards and rooftop terraces. This revitalized space offers a vibrant and engaging living environment tailored to the needs of young residents.

From offices to youth housing

The original office building comprised 14 composite cubes across two floors, arranged around an inner courtyard. Through a thoughtful redevelopment effort, the structure has been expanded by an additional floor and repurposed to accommodate 114 youth housing units, featuring a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and larger shared apartments. The transformation also includes the creation of a spacious common room, laundry facilities, and two west-facing roof terraces, enhancing the overall functionality and appeal of the building.

Welcome Home

Upon approaching the building exterior, visitors are welcomed by three distinctive and brightly illuminated arrival rooms, each adorned in vibrant hues. Each arrival space possesses a unique graphic identity and character, all converging towards the shared courtyard.

Access to the residences is facilitated through balcony entrances on the courtyard side of the building. These entrances play a dual role in activating the courtyard and fostering visibility among the building's residents. Around the three central stairwells, the balcony entrances are expanded to include smaller zones designed for intimate gatherings and meetings.

Landscape is Community

The residences are strategically oriented around the inner common courtyard, with each unit having its entrance from this central hub. The courtyard is envisioned as a dynamic social center and catalyst, fostering both organized community events and serendipitous encounters that can lead to the formation of new friendships.

Within each cube, three or four apartments are arranged, each accessible through a small distribution area from the courtyard. The homes are constructed based on a rational design principle, offering consistency in approach with variations in size and room configurations

Developing Residences in a High-Traffic Zone

The residences are situated adjacent to one of Aarhus' busiest bypass roads, emphasizing the significance of noise mitigation in the overall layout.

Facing Ringvejen, a comprehensive noise design strategy has been implemented, featuring bicycle sheds, waste rooms, and caretaker's sheds positioned across the entire width of the plot. These structures serve as noise barriers, strategically designed to minimize the need for additional noise-reduction measures within the main building.

Within the development, certain residences are equipped with double-glazed windows, and specific window orientations are designed to mitigate noise exposure. Additionally, prioritizing resident well-being, well-lit homes are strategically configured with 'quiet rooms' positioned toward the tranquil courtyard side whenever feasible.

Towards a Sustainable Future

The project's primary sustainability objectives revolve around social considerations. Additionally, integrated underground soakaways have been implemented for effective rainwater management. The development adheres to the BR2015 energy class standards, reflecting a commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.