Eskelunden

This middle project site comprises approximately 30 hectares of previously unused, left-over land in the Aarhus River Valley, at a short distance of one kilometre from Aarhus School of Architecture. From 1950 to 1980 the site was a landfill for the growing population of the city. After the landfill was closed down, the site was for several years a neglected and overlooked landscape.

In 2016, the site became the first phase in establishing the Aarhus Landscape Laboratory. Since then, it has been the setting of numerous experiments with temporary interventions as well as experiments on transplanting urban nature. Today, Eskelunden is both as an everyday landscape frequented by nearby residents and the city’s new event site, that receives many visitors when large festivals are held.

In 2022, Eskelunden received support from The Salling Foundations to establish new footbridges along the Aarhus River. The purpose of this was to give visitors year-round access to the more diverse nature experiences along the river. Eskelunden also received generous support from The Villum Foundation in 2023. This funding made it possible to establish Tignstedet, a new outdoor learning space along Aarhus River. The lnew boardwalk and the location of Tingstedet will provide a ‘bridge’ between the natural landscape of Eskelunden, the former waste landfill, and the Aarhus River. The location makes it possible to carry out outdoor teaching for both the school’s students, local kindergartens, and visitors.