The Seaside Villa Aarhus, Denmark
Responding to the specific site conditions of a prime location and the client’s wish for an artistic expression, the Seaside Villa is designed as an inhabitable sculpture. It is wrapped in a distinctive, undulating roof that frames expansive views over the Aarhus Bay while also sheltering the outdoor living spaces from the weather. It gives the villa a vibrant silhouette that takes on a different expression depending on your point of view and the capricious coastal weather.
The villa was developed on a site on the edge of a traditional single-family-house residential area. It is located only a stone’s throw from one of Aarhus’ most popular beaches and offers magnificent views over the water and the hilly Mols peninsula on the opposite side of the bay.
Two levels – up and down
The interior is divided into two overall functional sections, each occupying one level of the two-storey residence. The lower level forms a base for ancillary functions from where a staircase leads up to the heart of the residence: a large, elevated space that connects to roofed outdoor areas facing north and south. This central living space is flanked by two enclosed private wings with bedrooms and bathrooms. The two wings ensure privacy for the central living space and shield its functions from the omnipresent coastal winds, while also granting unobstructed views of the sea through the floor-to-ceiling glass facades.
The roof – curving and straight
The roof is the most distinctive and spatially defining element of the seaside villa. It almost glides over the central living space while tightly wrapping down the sides to anchor the villa on the plot. It not only covers the indoor areas but also protrudes to the north and south to create sheltering eaves. The eaves reduce the thermal stress on the central space’s glass facades and create generous roofed outdoor areas protected from the elements.
To create a varied spatial experience and subdivide the large living space into zones with different ceiling heights, the roof undulates along contrapuntal lines. The resulting curved planes and stringent arches create a sculptural, vivid signature for the villa, continually changing the building's appearance as you move around it.
Materials – inside and outside
Two contrasting material palettes characterise the residence, defining the exterior and interior, respectively. On the outside, the facades of the wings feature a unique colour mix of classic Danish Kolumba bricks, complemented by dark red-brown aluminium and steel details. In contrast to the exterior colours, the interior finishes create a light and welcoming atmosphere with warm wooden details, most notably on the underside of the undulating roof. All floors, both inside and out, are covered with Norwegian slate, creating coherence across the different spaces and harmonising with both the interior and exterior colour palettes.
Selected references
