Lighthouse is a mixed-use residential development located at the tip of Aarhus Harbour, overlooking the waters of Aarhus Bay. Openness, security and diversity characterise the development, which combines a high-rise structure with a cluster of mid-rise buildings to foster community and interaction.
The development, completed in two phases, combines both private and social housing. A waterfront promenade with public restaurants, cafés and retail spaces invites visitors to the site and creates a vibrant and diverse landscape. The second phase saw the completion of Denmark’s tallest building, which includes a public rooftop restaurant, allowing visitors to enjoy incredible views of the city and Aarhus Bay.
Standing at the head of Aarhus, Lighthouse occupies a prominent position in the city’s newest waterfront district. The development is characterised by an inverted approach to urbanisation, in which the site has been transformed into an active social community. This was done through initiatives such as cafes, water sports and urban farming, which were created before the development began, providing feedback and knowledge that was incorporated into the final design and starting a social community in the area. Safe public access to the water attracts swimmers and kayakers to the area. Brave locals, working all year round, enjoy the popular Danish pastime of “winter swimming”. A café along the waterfront is a cosy place to warm up and enjoy a hot drink after a dip in the icy water.