An Urban Space for Sensing at Vesterbro Torv in Aarhus

The design process has focused on spatial qualities and how these can be created within a tectonic approach to architecture. The process has been  a constant investigation of materials and construction techniques that can meet the programme and my spatial desires. 

The term “snoezelen” (pronounced like “SNOOzelen”) is a neologism formed from the Dutch “snuffelen” (to sniff, to snuffle) and “doezelen” (to doze, to snooze). Snoezelen or controlled multi sensory stimulation is used for people with mental disabilities, and involves exposing them to a soothing and stimulating environment, the “snoezelen room”. These rooms are specially designed to deliver stimuli to various senses, using lighting effects, color, sounds, music, scents, etc. 

Inspired by the original “Snoezel” concept I have developed a proposal for “The Public Snoezel House” at Vesterbro Torv in Aarhus. A structure where the public user can retire from the scramble of everyday impressions to have a break for “snoozing” and “sniffing” in differentiated environments. The structure contains an arranged series of “sensory” rooms with different atmospheres and experiences. The Public Snoezel House works as a collage of different sensors articulating the stimuli and changes of the surroundings.  Thereby the structure acts as a screen or filter and creates a special relation between the user on the inside and the world on the outside. The project contains six main spaces:

• The plaza is established by opening up the roof of the existing underground garage. The plaza is a rather large and generic space open to the sky. It is enclosed and isolated from the noise of the surrounding streets. The plaza is furnished with an amphitheater where people can spectate music, theatre, dance performances, open air cinema or other social gatherings
• The contemplation space is established as a ramp system creating a route through the entire project. The route ends in a tall maze like space made by several thousands vertical steel sticks. The steel sticks provide a fussy boundary between inside and outside and creates a beautiful  shadow pattern changing throughout the day.
• The massage space is established in the garages along the north side of the existing parking basement. A periscope is added to each space to establish a street view so the user can have a visual contact to the city above while having a massage. Massage is the practice of soft tissue manipulation with physical, functional and psychological purposes.
• The reception space is established in the old concrete flower shop building from the 1930’s. The reception or information acts as the center of the Public Snoezel House and provides the user with an overview of all the different activities the Public Snoezel House can offer.
• The garden space is enclosed by  a huge canopy structure constructed as a system of individual parabola arcs. The canopy acts as a scaffold for the gardens plants to grow on and eventually creating a green organic enclosure.
• The restaurant is constructed as a tall tower establishing a visual anchor for the project. It provides a huge darkened space. Throughout the day our eyes have to comprehend, process and evaluate thousands of visual messages. When having dinner at the dark restaurant your eyes will finally be able to take a well-deserved break.

Vesterbro Torv is a city square located on Vesterbro in Aarhus. The square is a gathering point for many streets, including several main streets going into the city, and is therefore a very busy and stressful place. The history of the place can be tracked back to the 1840ies, when people started to use the area as a market place. Today the traffic, noise, smell, polluted air and dense atmosphere have overruled the opportunity for recreation and for people to meet and experience the potential of the square as much more than the parking lot it is today. 

Therefore, the aim of my project has been to design a proposal that could reestablish Vesterbro Torvz as a square for people. The Public Snoezel House acts as an urban mental pit stop that gives people a sensational experience.

Troels Lærke
tlf: 60242779
mail: troels.laerke@gmail.com