masterplan for northern goods railway in aarhus, denmark
image courtesy nord architects/ MIR

nord architects and 3xn have won the competition to design a masterplan in denmark.
a new cultural hub for scenography, visual arts and literature will soon be constructed
within a historical framework in denmark’s second largest city, aarhus. the new cultural
center is meant to be an inspiring setting that stimulates production of the arts
and facilitates the interaction amongst the various artistic metiers, business and education

the masterplan has a layout with a number of triangulating construction sites which
will set the agenda for an interesting architecture with open and transparent ground
floors, terraced houses and roof gardens.


image courtesy nord architects/ MIR


image courtesy nord architects/ MIR


the cultural production center by 3xn
image courtesy 3xn

3xn's proposal adds elements of nature, with green spaces injecting a natural raw quality
which plays up to the historic nature of the existing halls which were used for rail freight
in the past.

the building is expected to be a flexible space with optimal usage of more than 9,000 m2.
the project is comprised of the renovation of the existing freight halls along with a new
building with rooms and large scale auditoria.  the roof of the building will appear as
an extension of the green space – and indeed will take the form of a green ‘carpet’ over
the new building.  there are a number of other green initiatives that will be brought to
the project – primarily with a view to reducing the building’s electricity needs for ventilation,
pumps and lighting.

the cultural production center is expected to be completed in 2012 and is a collaboration
between the municipality of aarhus, denmark and the realdania foundation.


the cultural production center by 3xn
image courtesy 3xn

the winning team is comprised of 3xn architects, hans ulrik jensen a/s, exners studio,
nord architects and søren jensen engineers.