Culture Yard / AART Architects

Architects: AART Architects
Area: 13,000 m²
Year: 2010
Photography: Adam Mørk
Landscape Architects: Jeppe Aagaard Andersen
Engineer: Søren Jensen
Client: Elsinore Municipality
City: Elsinore
Country: Denmark

The Culture Yard, designed by AART Architects in Elsinore, Denmark, has revitalized the former shipyard into a cultural space. Completed in 2010, the building blending historical elements with modern design. The original concrete structure remains exposed, while the striking glass and steel facade connects the interior to the exterior. The design also includes climate-responsive features, reducing energy consumption.

The site adjacent to Kronborg Castle, long a focus of attention in Elsinore, has seen the transformation of the old shipbuilding yard into a 13,000 m² cultural and knowledge center. This facility includes concert halls, showrooms, conference rooms, and a public library. The Culture Yard represents Elsinore’s evolution from an industrial town to a cultural hub. It serves as a link between past and present, reinforcing local identity while expressing a global outlook, connecting the community locally and internationally.

The contrast between past and present is a core element of the Culture Yard’s design. The original concrete skeleton with armoured steel has been reinforced but remains exposed to honor the area’s industrial heritage. This historical context guided the design, allowing visitors to uncover traces of history throughout the building. The Culture yard is a place to grasp the essence of Elsinore, where the boundary between past and present is palpable.

Architectural features like wrought iron stairs and concrete elements are adjacent with modern glass structures and interior designs, highlighting the tension between old and new. The building emphasizes the ongoing dialogue between the industrial past and the information age.

The multifaceted glass and steel facade is particularly striking when viewed form the seafront and Kronborg Castle. This fragmented yet coherent structure engages with the historic site and offers sweeping views across the Sound, connecting Denmark and Sweden. The transparent facade strengthens the relationship between the interior and exterior, providing glimpses of the sea and the castle form various vantage points within the building, especially from dramatic glass cave that extends above the main entrance.

The facade’s intricate design of lines and triangles creates a unified volume that enhances the sense of space and place. It also considers environmental factors, acting as a climate shield that reduces energy demands for heating and cooling, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes.