The HOME on Ryhavevej

VIA University Collage

Project idea

Introduction
The HOME on Ryhavevej lies at the heart of Hasle
neighbourhood, 2 km west from the center of Aarhus.
The area is a boundary phenomenon. South from the
site lies sub-urban residential neighbourhood, Åbyhøj.
Calm, family-oriented area, characterised by singlefamily
houses in one or two storeys.
In contrast with this, there is a belt of industrial
properties and shops towards north and the edge of
infamous Bispehaven neighbourhood towards northwest.
This part is slowly being transformed and
consist of mid-rise housing.
Directly adjacent to the site from east, there
is a mid-rise housing block imposed over the
neighbourhood.
The site itself hosted office building of low
architectural quality which is to be demolished as
part of the development. Originally, the sloping site
allowed for access to different levels directly from
the ground, advantage this project aims to re-use.
The HOME on Ryhavej reacts to these complex
conditions and provides a solid foundation for a
development of a new community on the verge of
change in turbulent times.

Vision
We are aiming to create a small welcoming community
by bringing different people together, under one
roof. The project combines advantages of living in a
house and in an apartment. Its architectural qualities,
abundant light and greenery are going to attract
diverse array of people.
We are employing a simple prefabricated structure
and natural materials, wherever possible. We believe
in symbiosis between a city and nature, therefore we
pushed for use of as much of the natural products
as possible. The whole development was dipped in
greenery from all the possible angles.
The project respects the low and sub-urban area
of Åbyhøj and defines the edge between this calm
neighbourhood and busier industrial zone towards
north.
There is a vision to create a holistic project which
combines new typologies for contemporary inhabitants
with cutting-edge technology involving timber products
for construction and dip all in greenery.

Dwellers
The project is designed in order to promote diversity.
Intended types of users are families, students, young
professionals and co-habiting partners.
Units of different sizes and layout are spread out
and mixed in order to encourage meeting of different
people.

Project description

The HOME on Ryhavevej fills the scar that will be
left after the demolition of existing structure.
The excavated zone is reinforced by the concrete
retaining wall and building volume is inserted into this
nest.
The simple, cubic volumes, based on a rational module
of 10x5 meters are arranged so as to form a central
courtyard, meadow for the community.
Different typologies are arranged in repeating
clusters, forming two wings on eastern and western
part of the plot. Shops in the northern part of the
plot form a barrier towards the busy street.
By gently shifting the individual volumes, roofs are
freed to accomodate access to the individual units
and various circulation paths around the courtyard
are created.
Finally, the magnificent dive into greenery happens.
The roof is covered by sedum and array of lush
terraces and passages are created. Every part of
the roof is either accessible or covered in greenery.
In the southern part of the garden, dry basin is
established as part of water sensitive urban design
strategy.

The vicinity of Ryhavevej is diverse and culturally
rich. Sub-urban housing, local shops, national
supermarkets, low-income housing. It is an area that
is on the edge of revitalization. Infamous Bispehaven
neighbourhood is being refurbished, hopefully bringing
calmer times. The site lies just outside the Hasle
Torv, local transportation hub which hosts bus stops
that can take residents to the center in five minutes.
The site is divided into two zones. Northern and
southern zone.
The northern zone is reserved for 3 shops, which will
further reinforce the position of Ryhavevej as a local
commercial street. The shops has parking reserved
for them directly adjacent to the street. The parking
uses existing turning lane on Ryhavevej for entrance
and separate exit. The parking includes zone for
bicycles as well and there are new trees and bushes
planted around and in front of the shops.
The southern zone is residential. Apartments are
arranged around central courtyard. There are new
trees planted in the courtyard which brings the
nature inside and offers a degree of privacy for
residents. The paving around the courtyard and in
the rest of development is white concrete. Water
from the plot is led to the southernmost part of the
plot. There one can find small garden with trees and
bushes and dry basin as a part of sustainable water
management strategy.
Overall the building relates to the sloping nature
of the site and uses it as an advantage to
create dynamic shifts of levels and symbiosis with
neighbourhood, on the edge between calm sub-urban
and busy commercial.

Technical information

Charred timber exterior cladding
As the main facade material, vertical planks of
charred timber were chosen. This technique, also
known by its Japanese name, Shou Sugi Ban, provides
protection against wood decay and weather. That
is possible because charring the outermost part of
timber removes the nutritions from the material and
therefore fungi and mold are not able to grow.
Despite being a technique firmly rooted in history, it
is also a response in harmony with today’s demands
for sustainable construction. While being a natural
process without use of chemicals, it can protect the
timber against detoriation for up to 50 years.
Charred timber has æsthetically pleasant dark tones,
which vary between charcoal and silver, matte and
shiny. Every board is unique and will experience rich
ageing process.

Exterior
From outside, the dynamic stacked volume is
characterised by dark vertical cladding of charred
timber. Varying tones of black contrast with the
light concrete base and paving outside. Greenery on
roofs and terraces flow over the edges and over
time, it will cover parts of the facade, creating lush
symbiosis between the natural materials and nature
itself.

Interior
As a contrast to the dark exterior, the interiors
are light and bright. Rays of the sun enter through
abundant glazed areas and bounce back and forth
between the exposed CLT panels.

Structure
CLT is used throughout the project as the main
structural material and it is left exposed if possible.
As the main load-bearing material, it allows for
design flexibility and ease of manufacture. Elements
can be rapidly assembled, as fits the tight project
schedule. The wood has also advantage concerning
energy efficiency and it will help in achieving 2020
energy class for the building.

CLT interiors
As a warm and natural finish, CLT is used for walls
and ceilings, since it has positive impact on wellbeing
of the inhabitants. Walls of CLT offer rich
and authentic expression and great acoustic and air
tightness to create a unique sense of home, built to
last.
Panels also enable precise CNC cutting of all openings
and spaces to accomodate services and electrical
wiring, ensuring clean and effective process.
White concrete base and floors
What would have an architecture be without the raw
power of concrete? The whole development needs a
solid foundation and base, in order to be protected
from moisture on and under ground. Therefore the
floors and plinth on the lowest level, as well as
exterior paving will be cast as crisp white concrete,
contrasting against the dark facade. The perimenter
wall is also going to be repaired and reinforced using
white concrete as external finish.

WATER MANAGEMENT
As part of water sensitive urban design, the
rainwater will be disposed as close to the source as
possible thanks to the dry basin, which is going to
act as run-off dam during rainy periods and dry up
during the following dry period.
The dry basin will be supplied by all the water
collected from paved areas as well as excess water
from roofs.
The roof is designed as sedum roof which delays the
water run-off as well as decreases total run-off,
since the vegetation absorbs part of the rainwater
with another part being evaporated.