Nicolinehus is a mixed-use structure in Aarhus’s newest neighborhood. People gather in outdoor spaces, including courtyards, rooftop gardens, balconies, and sidewalks. The proposal incorporates many uses to revitalize the ancient harbor region, including a marketplace, a city strait, eateries, stores, and 234 residences.
© Niels Nygaard
Nicolinehus Residential Complex: From Industrial Port to a New District
Aarhus Ø history began in 1997 when the municipal council unanimously approved an innovative master plan for the development of Aarhus Harbor. The project aimed to create a thriving neighborhood connecting the city and the waterway out of the empty container port.

Aarhus Ø has frequently been criticized for lacking the urban life anticipated to develop despite profound and compact construction and a large influx of new citizens. Therefore, the goal with Nicolinehus was to design something that would improve urban life and quality on Aarhus Island and create a lively and appealing neighborhood. © Niels Nygaard
Architecture as a Driving Force in Urban Environments
Nicolinehus exemplifies how to provide life to a new area, such as Aarhus Ø, by combining residential and commercial space on the ground floor with public uses. A bustling and captivating retail scene revolves around the ground floor market hall. Nicolinehus provides the foundation for a dynamic and appealing urban area that hums with life from morning to night, with room for more than 15 players, inc...