Hornslet Culture House
Hornslet Culture House
Project
Hornslet Kulturhus
Developer
Ejendomsfonden Kulturgrunden
Area
3.100 m2
Status
Competition proposals
Architect / Lead Consultant
MIKKELSEN ARKITEKTER A/S
Architect / Theater Consultant
Studio Andrew Todd
Engineer, Timber Structures
Merz Kley Partner GmbH
Engineer
KI Rådgivende Ingeniører ApS
Landscape Architects
Schul Landskabsarkitekter ApS
Our vision for Hornslet Kulturhus aims to transform the center of Hornslet into a dynamic cultural and community center. Our proposal envisions a space that fosters social connections, cultural participation and a shared identity among citizens of all ages. The new Culture House will bring together various facilities including a library, a cinema, a cultural hall, workshops and a café, making it a multifunctional gathering place that supports different forms of cultural production and social interaction.
The project responds to the city's growth and evolving identity by providing a central location that encourages citizens to connect locally, rather than relying on nearby urban centers, like Aarhus, for cultural participation. The design emphasizes sustainability, adaptability and openness, with natural materials and flexible spaces that support the changing needs and activities of the community.
Our proposal for the Culture House intends to serve as a cultural powerhouse and an engine for community development that promotes inclusion and innovation. This transformational project is positioned not only to develop and support Hornslet's social landscape, but also to serve as a model for other growing provincial cities.
The Culture House is organized around a central square that acts as the heart of the building. The square is a vibrant, high-ceilinged space that visually connects the café, library and performance spaces and encourages interaction across activities. Large windows and skylights allow daylight to flow deep into the building, creating an uplifting and energizing atmosphere.
The Cultural Center combines modern architecture with a strong focus on social sustainability and natural daylight. The building emphasizes openness, connection and flexibility, creating a warm and welcoming environment. The design emphasizes environmentally friendly practices through the use of CLT construction and energy efficient systems, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability. The use of wooden surfaces and biogenic elements create a calming and natural atmosphere.
The facades of the culture center are designed with a focus on integrating the building into the urban context of Hornslet, both in scale and expression. The facades signal an informal but ambitious atmosphere where culture and everyday life meet. The boundary between inside and outside is broken down, making the inner square appear bright and open, even from the outside. The load-bearing wooden structure plays a central role and is visible both inside and out through glass facades and cladding, creating a dialog between the building's interior and exterior.
Exterior wood cladding in grayish and reddish tones contributes to a warm and welcoming expression. Bricks from the demolished buildings are reused in the floors and facade base, tying the building design to the history of the site and strengthening the sustainable focus. Bricks are also used as thermal buffers and as a base material in both indoor and outdoor areas.
The façade supports sustainability through prefabrication and integrated passive solar shading with vertical wooden slats. Open windows and panels ensure ventilation and informal use of the building, while exterior wood-clad columns highlight the geometry of the structure and emphasize its environmental ambitions.
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