WE architecture + JWH Arkitekter combines Green Space with Social Housing
WE architecture have won a new social housing competition, consisting of 38 apartments, in Saltholmsgade, Aarhus. The proposal has been made in collaboration with the housing organization Ringgaarden and JWH Arkitekter.
The project interprets the traditional historical city houses along Hjortensgade as modern, social and green communities. Communal features are places on the roof-garden from where residents can have an overview of Aarhus.
The proposal presents a perimeter block that acts to continue the surrounding building structure and function as a “city wall”. The dense inner city of Aarhus is exposed in this way to the green areas and buildings behind.
The building adapts the features of the urban context (height, volume, profile and façade) by referring to the facing buildings, on Saltholmsvej and Hjortensgade.
To create small, semi-public meeting spaces in front of the building, the volumes are pushed back alternatively. Subdividing the building makes it possible to add vegetation to the existing streetscape.
The building stands as a gateway to the city, and defines the transition from the inner city to the green areas of the botanical garden.
