Sustainability and community
Today, Trælasten has a fine grain pedestrian network creating strong connections to the surrounding city. The neighborhood was founded about supporting urban qualities that contribute to creating both proximity and friction — Gehl’s hope was to give the urban life of the space a dynamic spark.
After 260 interviews on sustainability and community making, Gehl was able to create a community for all ages, genders, and interests. As the Master Plan reaches its final form, the details of the building design evolve through an integrated design process. This collaborative project enlists the expertise of developers, master planners, city representatives, and building architects with the ultimate goal of ensuring a coherent yet diversified approach.
With climate adaptation as a guiding principle to the project, Gehl incorporated the river within Aarhus as a core component to the master plan, designing lush open green spaces along its banks. What was once a flowing body of water, is now a meeting space for an entire community. The River House creates a space for play, entertainment, and connection. Trælasten celebrates the sloping terrain on the site which is accentuated in both buildings and urban spaces; creating views of the river and valley from multiple vantage points within the development.
