New Ark Installation, New Urban Space Invites Reflection and Action. In a narrow alley in the Godsbanen area of Aarhus, New Ark can be found – an artistic experience that encourages reflection on the body, architecture, and the rapid changes of the climate.
© Tideland Studio
Art and Climate. New Ark is constructed near Aarhus School of Architecture and consists of a 50-meter-long artwork made of undulating concrete tiles and polished steel lifebuoys. It is the result of a unique collaboration between architects and artists to transform a narrow passage into an urban space of high artistic value. To address one of our time’s greatest challenges, the team has focused on water – an element with both alluring and destructive properties.
© Niels Rysz Olsen
As if thrown from the city’s rooftops, the three lifebuoys lie embedded in the concrete surface, creating ripples. Using digital simulations, the movement of the water has been captured in the split second when the three lifebuoys touch the water. Waves and splashes are captured in minute detail, providing a fascinating insight into water’s otherwise ephemeral nature.
© Tideland Studioo
A tribute to the place. The presence of water in the alley serves as a warning of rising sea levels, but also as a tribute to the invisible history of the place. The artwork is located on a site that, 100 years ago, was a flooded natural landscape. When visiting the place today, one can rest on the lifebuoys, whose mirror-like surfaces bring the sky down to the street and distort the architecture’s stringent lines.
© Tideland Studio
The waves in the tiles create a dynamic walking experience that prompts passersby to reflect on the relationship between the rhythm of the body and that of the waves. In this way, the alleys’ elongated character is utilized to create a surprising and sensory experience amidst the bustle of the city.
Project Info
Architects: Rumgehor, Stine Rosdahl-Petersen, Tideland Studio
Country: Denmark, Aarhus
Area: 250 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Tideland Studio, Niels Rysz Olsen
Architect, Concept, Digital Design And Detail Design: Simon Strøyer
Artist, Concept, Detail Design: Stine Rosdahl-Petersen
Program / Use / Building Function: Public Space
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.