The Iceberg is located at a prime location on the outmost harbor
front in Aarhus’ new quarter Aarhus Ø (Aarhus East) and consists of 208
apartments. Like many other worn-out industrial harbor areas, the former
container port of Aarhus is being transformed into a vibrant new neighborhood. This apartment complex is among the first projects to be finished in an
area that on completion will be home to 7,000 inhabitants and provide 12,000
workplaces. Its total site area of 800,000 m2 makes it one of Europe’s largest harbor
front city developments.
The inspiration for the Iceberg originated primarily from
the site’s extraordinary location with spectacular views over the Aarhus Bay.
Thus, the seemingly simple task was to maximize views and sunlight conditions
for every single apartment and at the same time respect the in- land urban
context. Instead of following the
masterplan, which was dominated by closed building blocks, the Iceberg is laid
out as four L-shaped wings, where the street spaces in-between open towards the
water. In order to obtain optimal daylight conditions and views over the bay,
the building volumes are cut up by jagged lines.
The roofs rise and fall into peaks and valleys, which create
visual passages across the individual volumes – like floating icebergs that
constantly refract one’s gaze. Thus, even the back wing’s residents can enjoy
the view. The principle of dividing each building into tops and valleys
contributes to adapt the scale of the buildings to the surroundings and the
interior spaces. Instead of being considered as a block turning inwards the
complex be experienced as an open structure, creating more architectural appeal.
In
selected areas the structure of the building is pressed down towards street
level to create a harbor oriented character and scale. In other areas the
structure is pulled upwards to create a more urban qualities. City and harbor
meet in one common idiom.
The
varying and spectacular forms that derive from this simple algorithm make it
possible to fit a varied range of different dwelling types within the complex –
the outer geometry is changed upwards through the building and consequently
also in the flats, which range from two- story ‘town houses’ and affordable
smaller flats to exclusive penthouses in the peaks.
The
variety of residences with different balconies, shapes and orientations as well
as the combination of owner-occupied and rented flats aim at creating socially
diverse urban surroundings that form a lively local community: the building
complex becomes a neighborhood instead of a mere series of housing blocks.