Unusual Architecture + ZENI Architects

6100 Haderslev, Danimarca: [VUC SYD BY AART ARCHITECTS + ZENI ARCHITECTS]
VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

The new education centre for VUC Syd in Haderslev, Denmark, has no traditional classrooms.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

Instead, it appears as a vibrant and visually engaging educational environment, in which group areas, presentation spaces, dialogue cubicles and quiet zones allow for a more diverse approach to education.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

Inspired by its unique location on Haderslev’s waterfront the new education centre has been designed as an atrium building, with a 360° view of the city and the harbour. The education centre’s terraces are a key element in its expression.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

In a movement, which starts right down at ground level and ends up on the top floor, the terraces twine around the building, creating a vertical schoolyard and uniting indoors and outdoors in a single gesture. However, the education centre is not only about making a distinctive mark on Haderslev’s waterfront.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

It also provides the setting for a future-oriented educational environment by combining expertise with modern information technology and innovative teaching methods. Therefore, the education centre has no permanent classrooms.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

Instead, it is has been designed as a vibrant and visually engaging educational environment, united by the atrium and the staggered staircase at the heart of the building. To create a clear educational environment the floors have been divided into subject areas.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

The first floor is dedicated to science subjects, the second floor to cultural subjects and the third floor to modern languages. Thus, the education centre challenges the traditional notion of a school built up on the basis of permanent classrooms, in favour of a more flexible model in relation both to distribution of space and the flow of the students.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

This design approach creates a far more vibrant and effective educational environment, in which team areas, lecture rooms, dialogue cubicles, quiet zones and sports facilities allow for a more diverse approach to education.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

Modern IT has been given high priority in the design and layout of the education centre. For example, every student is issued with his/her own iPad or MacBook, while 165 digital touch screens in different sizes have been integrated as a natural component of the educational environment.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

Contact to the city has also been given high priority. This finds expression in the public ground floor, which encompasses the public space into the education centre and includes a culture café and lecture theatre, which provides space for larger-scale events.

VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects
VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects
VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects
VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects
VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects
VUC Syd by AART Architects ZENI Architects

Location: Haderslev, Denmark Architects: AART Architects , ZENI Architects Engineer: Cowi Area: 8600.0 m2 Year: 2013 Photographs: Adam Moerk