VIA University College – Competition proposal

More pictures from the project

Address: Skejby, Århus
Size: 30.000 m²
Client: VIA University College
Architect: Arkitema Architects
Second Architect’s: Poulsen & Partnere
Landscaping: Arkitema Architects
Engineer: Niras
Additional consultant: D-K2 Bygherrerådgivning as
Builder: Davidsen Partnere A/S
Year of competition: 2008

VIA University College is a new campus area that will unite five medium term health care educations, a center for teaching materials and a special education division – all in the framework of VIA.
The central point in our proposal for VIA University College is the creation of an environment with a dynamic movement between social spaces and learning spaces – between outside and indoors, between formal and informal activities. We place the traditional comb structure with its wings parallel to the slope of the terrain, perpendicular to the plot. By connecting the blind ends two and two we establish a zigzag movement around an interior street. The meandering movement creates unity across street function and profession.
The possibility of moving through the campus without being caught by blind alleys gives a great flexibility in the daily planning of the usage of the individual rooms. At the same time the direct connection between all the teaching facilities of the campus enhances interdisciplinary learning and strengthens the relations between the educations and departments.
We suggest a campus like a community with not just one central square, but four squares – each with a strong identity, connected through the falling terrain of the plot in a terraced flow