aart architects: culture yard

'the culture yard' by aart architects, elsinore, denmark
image © adam mørk
all images courtesy aart architects


located within an old shipbuilding yard in elsinore, denmark is 'the culture yard', a knowledge center completed by
danish practice aart architects. a contemporary triangulated facade has been attached to the masonry of an existing
industrial warehouse, creating a full building height atrium along its entire length. the folded transparent
curtain wall offers views across the sound which connects denmark to sweden as well as the adjacent kronborg castle,
a UNESCO world heritage site due to its role in shakespeare's prominent play, hamlet.



approach to the complex
image © adam mørk


the multifaceted steel and glass structure encloses part of the yard generating an atmosphere which maintains the historical
character while reducing the energy demand for cooling and heating of the the 17,000 square meter building. strategic angles
of the exterior are screened with perforated aluminum plates to prevent light from overwhelming the foyer and corridors.



facade extends to create a canopy
image © adam mørk



front elevation
image © adam mørk



entry facade
image © adam mørk



(left) entry facade screened with steel mesh
(right) facade detail
images © adam mørk



triangulated folding facade
image © adam mørk



entry
image © adam mørk



atrium with cafe seating
image © adam mørk



(left) cafe seating
(right) upper level corridor
images © adam mørk



(left) elevated view of atrium
(right) balconies
images © adam mørk



triangular balcony projecting from original brick structure
image © adam mørk



stairs along geometric facade
image © adam mørk



view of the kronborg castle
image © adam mørk



corridor overlooking the docks
image © adam mørk



entrance
image © adam mørk



information center
image © adam mørk



stairs to the second level library
image © adam mørk



reading knooks
image © adam mørk



reading knooks
image © adam mørk



conference room
image © adam mørk



stairs to the subgrade level
image © adam mørk



exterior wall now enclosed within the lobby
image © adam mørk



connection to adjacent historic buildings
image © adam mørk



illuminated at night
image © adam mørk



at night
image © adam mørk



aerial view of site



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level 1



floor plan / level 2



floor plan / level 3



floor plan / level 4



floor plan / level -1



section



section


project info:


project: 1st prize in open international architecture competition, 17.000m2 cultural centre in elsinore in denmark
client: elsinore municipality
architect: aart architects a/s
landscape architect: aart architects a/s
engineer: søren jensen consulting engineer
address: allégade 2, 3000 elsinore, denmark
year: 2006 - 2010
size: approx. 17.000m2
construction costs: dkr 315 million
photographer: adam mørk