The white painted concrete columns and girders, in contrast to the soft organic form of the "Monolith Theater", stand out as architectural elements revealing the rhythm in the building's structural system.
Photo: arcspace
On April 5, 2002 Architektgruppen Århus were awarded the prestigious Concrete Element Prize for the new domicile for CCI Europe A/S, an International software developer, located in Højbjerg, Denmark.
The prize, established by the Concrete Element Association in 1978, is awarded for excellence in design and the integration of prefabricated concrete elements with other building materials.
The rectangular box clad in black granite, surrounded by pools of water and greenery, stands out in the otherwise bland industrial neighbourhood.
Photo: arcspace
The main entrance is reached crossing a bridge over a minimalistic water garden planted with slender trees.
Architecturally the design concept takes advantage of the sloping site with the main entrance, situated at the highest point, anchoring the building to the ground, and the backside of the building floating above the reflecting pool that, like a wall to wall carpet, surrounds the lower level canteen.
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
View of the reflective pool from the canteen.
The interior of the building, a figure eight in plan, is designed with all the virtues of a classical town; the arrival, the town plaza, the different neighbourhoods, the parks and lakes.
Photo: arcspace
The "arrival" at the customized reception desk, made of fiber cement.
Activities are organizes around two atriums; the "Plaza"" and the ‘Garden". Public and representational activities are concentrated around the "Plaza", where as the "Garden" is reserved for the employees.
Photo: arcspace
In the center of the "Plaza" the "Monolith Theater", a gigantic organic poured-on-site concrete sculpture, rises the full height of the building, through the roof, letting daylight in around its curving edges. The frieze, inspired by CCI’s background as printers, is by Danish artist Jens Formsgaard.
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
The "Plaza", with its gigantic staircase reminiscent of the Spanish Steps in Rome, is surrounded by "neighbourhoods" with streets, alleyways and bridges on three levels.
Photo: arcspace
In contrast to the organic form of the "Monolith Theater" the offices, placed around the two communal areas, are straight forward and economic in their construction. The offices, accessed via interior staircases, balconies and bridges, all have have exterior views.
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Narrow strips of skylights around the curved form of the Theater and on the edges of the "Plaza" create a play of light and shadows that, combined with the blond wood, glass and Arne Jacobsen chairs, give the Atrium an inviting ambiance with a Northern European flavor.
Photo: arcspace
Photo courtesy Arkitektgruppen Århus
The 200 seat "Monolith Theater", with the main entrance on the ground level, is used for in-house or client presentations. On the upper level bridges across the "Plaza" lead to private meeting rooms.
Photo: arcspace
In the exterior atrium, on a sloping hill covered in steel blue stones, the "Garden" is planted with pine trees and blueberries in true Nordic garden style.
Sketch courtesy Arkitektgruppen Århus
Drawing courtesy Arkitektgruppen Århus
Ground Level Plan
Drawing courtesy Arkitektgruppen Århus
Section
The Concrete Element prize is a coveted prize for young architects as the prize often is used as an "investment in talent" ; bringing encouragement to young architects.
Arkitektgruppen Århus were awarded the Prize in 1990 for "A new apartment building"; a project that was groundbreaking both in design and construction.
Other recipients have been Jørn Utzon for "Paustian Furniture House" and Søren Robert Lund for "Arken - Museum of Modern Art".
Client: Århus Stiftsbogtrykkerie
Architects: Arkitektgruppen Århus
Landscape architects: Arkitektgruppen Århus
Engineer: Carl Bro as
Contractor: SKANSKA Danmark A/S
Total area: Ca. 16,300 square meters
Competition year: 2000.
Completion: 2001
Competition Team:
Jørgen Bach
Mette Gosmer
Kim Risager
Kirsten Vestergaard Nielsen.
Project Team:
Jacob Østerløw Andersen
Jørgen Bach
Søren Bisgaard
Jan Dickow Danielsen
Anne Louise Due de Fønss
Asbjørn Lykke Gregersen
Robert Lau, Ole Madsen
Ole Øster Madsen
Henrik Mulvad
Elin Pedersen
Jacon Lind Pedersen
Kim Risager
Mette Søndergaard
Jette Wilhelmsen.
Arkitektgruppen Århus
April 29, 2002
