Eliasson is an artist widely known for his "artificial sun" - the Weather Project installation at London's Tate Modern (2003-2004), and the waterfalls on the bridges of New York (2009) - and often collaborates with architects. For example, he designed the façade of the new Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, and in 2007 co-authored Snohetta on a summer pavilion project for London's Serpentine Gallery. And even in his artistic projects, he often refers to the topic of space and its perception, as well as the interaction of an object or person with the environment.
But now Olafur Eliasson has appeared for the first time as an architect - the author of the building project. This is the headquarters of the investment and transport company Kirk Kapital A / S in the Danish city of Vejle. The building will be located on the water, in the harbor area. The load-bearing facades of organic forms will contain the floors of the building raised above the surface of the water. The lower tier of the building will be occupied by cafes and exhibition spaces, and offices will be located above.
But the plans of Kirk Kapital A / S and the city government are not limited to one building. It is planned to build an artificial island next to it with residential and office buildings; it is from there that a bridge will lead to the Eliasson building, its only connection to the land. In addition, a large-scale reconstruction program is planned for the adjacent embankment, which is now an unattractive industrial area.
These plans will be handled by Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter and Vogt Landscape Architects. All of these measures are aimed at creating visual and physical connections between the center of Vejle and the Vejlefjord. Completion of construction is scheduled for 2016.
N. F.
