Temporary gallery aims to involve the public in construction of new school of architecture

The building site where the new school of architecture is being constructed will stand apart from other building sites: it will, among other things, include a temporary architecture gallery

01.04.2019

Fences several metres high that divert the eyes of the curious have by now become the norm at construction sites all over the country. This will, however, not be the case when we build the new school of architecture at Godsbanearealerne, in Aarhus. Instead, several ‘holes in the fence’, will be created. Each of which will offer initiatives that allow the public to experience the construction process, hear music, see models, experiment with new architecture, or take home excess building materials. This ‘involving building site’ was developed in collaboration with Institut for X and building contractor A. Enggaard.

“The school has a vision of engaging in society through architecture. And we try to put this into practice at the building site for the new school. Together with The Danish Building & Property Agency, the building owner, A. Enggaard, design-and-build contractor on the project, and Institut for X we have prepared a plan which should make the construction site more open to the public”, says Kristine Leth Juul, prorector of Aarhus School of Architecture.

The first turf for the new school of architecture was cut at the end of January 2019. And the school is expected to be ready for occupation at the beginning of 2021.

A gallery aimed at creating dialogue

The first ‘hole in the fence’ to open will be the temporary architecture gallery ONSITE GALLERY. The gallery consists of two recycled containers placed on top of each other. The containers will be placed in the middle of the fence surrounding the construction site. One side of the containers is made of glass to allow visitors from the first floor to keep track of how the building project progresses. Apart from serving as a lookout post, ONSITE GALLERY will also provide the setting for numerous exhibitions and events leading up to the opening of the new school of architecture.

”We hope ONSITE GALLERY will help create an informal dialogue with people and companies in the area as well as with people who have a general interest in construction and architecture. And we hope it will make visible the potential of architecture through professional events. The city needs discussions about architecture and construction now that building in Aarhus is more intense than ever before. The gallery’s presence in the middle of Aarhus K will hopefully be able to facilitate this debate”, says Karen Kjærgaard, who will curate and be responsible for exhibitions at ONSITE GALLERY.

The gallery opens on 4 April in connection with Aarhus Architecture Festival (AAFx). During the festival, we will be showing unique films from Bauhaus in the gallery.

Upcoming events at ONSITE GALLERY