AURA HQ Aarhus, Denmark
The energy company AURA’s new headquarters will bring employees from several locations together under one roof. A central atrium shapes the geometry, connecting the main entrance, the common canteen, and views of the existing pond. CEBRA has developed the architecture, interiors and landscape as one coherent setting, supporting interaction, visibility, and everyday encounters.
A shared space at the heart of the building
Running through the building, the atrium will connect floors and functions while creating visual links across the organisation. It forms a continuous path through the headquarters with exposed timber columns and timber-lined surfaces, offering the space warmth, while glazed roof lights will bring daylight from above.
A broad staircase will form the atrium's social centre, connecting the ground floor with the levels above. The canteen will open towards the landscape to the north, with views of the existing pond.
On the upper floors, meeting and breakout areas will be arranged around the atrium, while workplaces will line the facades to benefit from daylight. Openings between floors and glass partitions will offer long views across the workplace.
Meeting rooms and quieter spaces will break up the open work areas into smaller zones, supporting different ways of working throughout the day.
Between infrastructure and landscape
AURA HQ will occupy the edge of Hasselager, where the commercial area meets the open landscape. To the west, the building will be clearly visible from Genvejen, while to the north and east it will face the pond and green areas.
Light stone will give the upper floors a calm and solid expression, contrasted by a deep red aluminium base that will anchor the building in the landscape. The same reddish tone will frame the entrance and recur throughout the interiors, linking the building’s exterior identity with its internal spaces.
Parking will be divided into smaller pockets framed by planting, rather than forming one continuous paved field. Together with paths, planted areas and the existing landscape, this will create a gradual transition between the building and its surroundings.
A robust and adaptable design
The headquarters will be designed as a flexible structure to accommodate changes in the organisation and evolving ways of working. A regular structural and installation principle will allow workspaces and functions to be adapted over time without fundamental alterations to the building.
The clear structural system and limited material palette will provide a consistent framework that can accommodate changing functions over time.
The domicile will be designed with the ambition of achieving DGNB Gold and Heart certification, focusing on indoor climate, resource consumption, material choices, and long-term adaptability.
