Urban Garden in Nørresundby
Location: Nørresundby, Denmark
Client: Municipality of Ålborg
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Lisbeth Westergaard, Christian Restorff Liliegreen, Filippa Berglund, Stine Poulsen
Collaborators: Rambøll, Lighting is designed in corporation with consultant engineers Hansen & Henneberg
Design phase: 2003-2004
Construction: 2004-2005
Area: 1.000 m2
Cost of construction: 304.000 €
Other harbour areas by SLA:
SLA produced the master plan for Nørresundby quayside. The first realised part of the plan is the town garden that creates immediate aesthetic assets in an area of the city under development.
The town garden is close to the water. From winding areas of asphalt jets of water spring several metres into the air and collect in small pools which reflect the movement of clouds in the sky. Between the asphalt areas paths covered in shiny mussel-shells are laid out, and in the dense planting water vapourisers are placed which send out fine mist. The garden is enclosed by a rough steel fence that functions as a transparent frame. A frame which both screens and allows passers-by a glimpse of the green beds of willow trees, bracken and mosses, and which creates simultaneity with the rest of the town.
On the quayside the existing industrial building is illuminated. The closed surfaces of the buildings create an impressive background for open-air cinema. The quay edges and surfaces are also lit.
The garden opens towards the harbour with ramps and a blue, rubber-coated stairway. The sea and the sky, familiarity and surprise. As an inspiration the town garden in Nørresundby is a concentration of experiences and aesthetic assets.
