james turrell + schmidt hammer lassen unveil dynamic plans for denmark art museum extension

james turrell + schmidt hammer lassen unveil dynamic plans for denmark art museum extension
all images by morten fauerby / courtesy of SML architects

it has been announced that american artist james turrell and schmidt hammer lassen architects are collaborating together to design the new extension to the ARoS aarhus art museum in denmark. the project, named ‘the next level’ will feature a 1,200 sqm subterranean gallery and two semi-subterranean art installations by turrell – ‘the sphere’ and ‘the dome’ – all of which would be integrated into the museum’s existing building fabric.

‘it is a privilege for me as an architect to have the opportunity to work with james turrell on this ambitious project. the next level project will develop the museum horizontally in contrast to the existing vertical movement and it is exciting to work with the great lines spanning from the river to the square of the aarhus music hall.’ explains morten schmidt, founding partner at schmidt hammer lassen.

the €30 million expansion will inherently merge art and architecture together to create new civic experience.

the scheme includes a 1,200 sqm subterranean gallery and two semi-subterranean art installations 

the next level extension will connect to the existing building which will be accessed via the current special exhibition foyer. schmidt hammer lassen were the firm who originally designed the museum complex, therefore maintaining a similar architectural language throughout the new plan is a focus.

the extension will connect to the existing building

the museum was originally designed by schmidt hammer lassen

the €30 million expansion that will merge art and architecture into a new civic experience

birds-eye view of the complex in denmark

section by SHL architects