In the small Danish city of Horsens, C.F. Møller Architects has created a university complex that unites higher education with urban life—creating synergies among students, staff, businesses, and residents. Constructed from 2017 to 2021, the roughly 354,000-square-foot VIA University College Campus Horsens is part of Campus Horsens, also designed by C.F. Møller Architects.
The complex comprises a slender 16-story tower and three atrium buildings. They’re joined together by a central inner atrium space that both connects the educational spaces and serves as a public space for the city’s residents.
The tower, called Innovation House, houses VIA University College on the lower eight floors, while the upper eight floors are occupied by Construction Center Denmark, an innovation space for start-ups and established companies. The joint occupancy creates opportunities for interaction among students and companies. At about 223 feet high, Innovation House is the tallest building in Horsens.
Each atrium building serves its own study program and features niches, staircases, and balconies for both living and learning, combined with open spaces and hubs for teachers and students. The atrium buildings’ shared spaces include the library, auditorium, and a publicly accessible cafeteria. The lower levels support activity-based learning, while the upper levels provide spaces for quiet and contemplation.
For the interior, also designed by C.F. Møller Architects, the complex uses materials such as red and gold brick, warm oak, and textiles in a few warm colors. The interior’s soft corners contrast with the more sharply cut exterior. The complex also includes artwork created by the renowned French artist Daniel Buren in collaboration with C.F. Møller Architects.
With a focus on sustainability, the design and construction sought energy optimization, minimization of building materials, low running costs, and an indoor climate that optimizes daylight. The compact design, with all functions under one roof, results in short distances among the education programs, short service runs, and a small facade area, which reduces the need for heating and cooling. Key interior elements, such as the balustrades are made of durable materials with long lifespans. And there are few structural walls, which makes the buildings flexible for future adaptations.
Owner and developer: VIA University College and Insero
Construction: CASA
Engineering: Rambøll
Architect and landscaping: C.F. Møller Architects
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jun 28, 2023
Sutton Tower, an 80-story multifamily development, completes construction in Manhattan’s Midtown East
In Manhattan’s Midtown East, the construction of Sutton Tower, an 80-story residential building, has been completed. Located in the Sutton Place neighborhood, the tower offers 120 for-sale residences, with the first move-ins scheduled for this summer. The project was designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen and developed by Gamma Real Estate and JVP Management. Lendlease, the general contractor, started construction in 2018.
Apartments | Jun 27, 2023
Dallas high-rise multifamily tower is first in state to receive WELL Gold certification
HALL Arts Residences, 28-story luxury residential high-rise in the Dallas Arts District, recently became the first high-rise multifamily tower in Texas to receive WELL Gold Certification, a designation issued by the International WELL Building Institute. The HKS-designed condominium tower was designed with numerous wellness details.
K-12 Schools | May 25, 2023
From net zero to net positive in K-12 schools
Perkins Eastman’s pursuit of healthy, net positive schools goes beyond environmental health; it targets all who work, teach, and learn inside them.
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.
Office Buildings | May 4, 2023
In Southern California, a former industrial zone continues to revitalize with an award-winning office property
In Culver City, Calif., Del Amo Construction, a construction company based in Southern California, has completed the adaptive reuse of 3516 Schaefer St, a new office property. 3516 Schaefer is located in Culver City’s redeveloped Hayden Tract neighborhood, a former industrial zone that has become a technology and corporate hub.
Mass Timber | May 3, 2023
Gensler-designed mid-rise will be Houston’s first mass timber commercial office building
A Houston project plans to achieve two firsts: the city’s first mass timber commercial office project, and the state of Texas’s first commercial office building targeting net zero energy operational carbon upon completion next year. Framework @ Block 10 is owned and managed by Hicks Ventures, a Houston-based development company.
| Apr 28, 2023
$1 billion mixed-use multifamily development will add 1,200 units to South Florida market
A giant $1 billion residential project, The District in Davie, will bring 1.6 million sf of new Class A residential apartments to the hot South Florida market. Located near Ft. Lauderdale and greater Miami, the development will include 36,000 sf of restaurants and retail space. The development will also provide 1.1 million sf of access controlled onsite parking with 2,650 parking spaces.
Mixed-Use | Apr 27, 2023
New Jersey turns a brownfield site into Steel Tech, a 3.3-acre mixed-use development
In Jersey City, N.J., a 3.3-acre redevelopment project called Steel Tech will turn a brownfield site into a mixed-use residential high-rise building, a community center, two public plazas, and a business incubator facility. Steel Tech received site plan approval in recent weeks.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 19, 2023
Austin’s historic Rainey Street welcomes a new neighbor: a 48-story mixed-used residential tower
Austin’s historic Rainey Street is welcoming a new neighbor. The Paseo, a 48-story mixed-used residential tower, will bring 557 apartments and two levels of retail to the popular Austin entertainment district, known for houses that have been converted into bungalow bars and restaurants.
Design Innovation Report | Apr 19, 2023
Reinforced concrete walls and fins stiffen and shade the National Bank of Kuwait skyscraper
When the National Bank of Kuwait first conceived its new headquarters more than a decade ago, it wanted to make a statement about passive design with a soaring tower that could withstand the extreme heat of Kuwait City, the country’s desert capital.