Adaptive transformation of Hejredalskollegiet

Research of the political context 

Gellerup is on the list of the hardest "ghetto" areas in Denmark and according to the comprehensive plan of area decided by the government and municipality is the buildings and other building complexes going to be demolished which are a consequence of the danish ghetto law.

Research of the social context 

According to political intentions based on the “ghetto” law, Gellerup is currently being transformed from a socially vulnerable residential area into a more attractive and integrated part of Aarhus. The transformation is an example of a new comprehensive plan of both physical and social efforts. The research underlines the importance of including the social context. Social communities can increase peoples’ belief and awareness of their own resources and opportunities and strengthen to ability to interact in the society.

Hejredalskollegiet · current conditions 

Hejredalskollegiet, the site, is a former student dormitory and consisted of 11 identical building complexes with 264 rooms. It was built in 1968 - 1972 in connection with the rest of Gellerup. As a part of the comprehensive plan of developing area the buildings are planned to be demolished.

Ressource registration 

The motivation is that architecture must be changeable as our society is constantly changing. Architecture is not only shaped by aesthetic considerations but also, a result of societal and climatic challenges. The challenge we face today is, that the construction account for a large part of the total resource consumption in Denmark. Waste of resources during constructions are common and there need to be more focus on resource efficiency and circular material use. Therefore, resource registration is an important design principle for the project.

Design proposal 

It is an experimental and conceptual project that tries to accommodate social and environmental sustainability by transforming the abandoned student dormitory in Gellerup into a community space. The idea is to support and enhance the social qualities the area contains and thereby contribute to a better integration. The environmental sustainability is address by introducing recycling of the existing materials as design strategy and a design there can be developed by local workforce.