In Denmark's second largest city on the shores of Aarhus Bugt, a multifunctional complex Basin 7 is planned, containing housing and public spaces located along the water line. The harbor revitalization, which BIG is working with in cooperation with Jan Gale's bureau, will take place in stages. First of all, a pedestrian embankment will be built, along which cafes, restaurants, an outdoor theater, swimming pools and beach houses will be located. Thus, life in the area should begin to boil even before the arrival of the first residents, which is planned for 2017.
The pedestrian embankment will cover the entire coastline, connecting the existing marina in the east with the Nikoline-Kokhs square in the west, and, passing through the entire development area, “blur” the border between the city and the sea.
Each of the seven residential buildings is being built on plots of very different shapes, and their shape and height varies depending on the location so as to ultimately obtain an optimal microclimate on the streets and create a memorable and dynamic silhouette of the area. Each building will have its own courtyard, which will clearly distinguish between public and private space. In order to create a noise barrier, the number of storeys of buildings has been increased, facing the industrial part of the harbor in the east and the busy boulevard in the west.
Local urban development specialist Rune Kilden notes that there were “players” involved in the planning process with an interest in the project and willing to participate in its implementation. For example, in August 2018, the world sailing championship will take place in Aarhus, and the new embankment will allow a much larger number of spectators to enter the competition - thousands of people will be involved in what is happening.
Thus, BIG relies on social activism, which will "breathe life into the harbor."
