Urban Mediaspace Aarhus (pdf)

Urban MediaSpace Aarhus 27The Harbour SquareThe new Harbour Square will become alarge, flexible and open space for activitywith a coating that calls for play andgames. To the east, the Harbour Squareends in a large stairway, which canbe used as spectator’s stands and forrecreational purposes. A landing stage isestablished at the foot of the open spacelevels enabling people to go ashore fromkayaks, canoes or rowboats.The Harbour Square is designed forvarious purposes depending on thetime of year. It creates room for daily,unorganised activities such as streetskating, street performers and ballgames as well as special seasonalactivities such as beach bar or Christmasmarket and very large events such asconcerts, markets or tournaments.The Harbour Square– dark asphaltUrban floor– light concreteUrban floor– light driving-coatingOpen space levels– light graniteUrban Context– standard concreteblocksUrban Context– asphaltCoatingsCoatings on the new urbanwaterfront spaces epitomise thelarge harbour space. These are: alarge, light concrete surface on theUrban Floor, inviting light graniteon the open space levels, and darkasphalt on the Harbour Square.The graphic and tactile finish ofthe coatings creates a poetic andchangeable graduation betweenlight and dark, between reflectionand shade. The coatings of theproject thus range from black towhite, from solid to liquid.