![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Dokk1_Jens-Marcus-Lindhe_Mobile.jpg)
Dokk1, Aarhus, Denmark
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
Scandinavia's Largest Public Library
Dokk1 represents a new generation of modern hybrid libraries. Situated at the mouth of the Aarhus River, the building also houses a citizen service center, office space, fully-subterranean automated parking for 1,000 cars, a light rail transit station, and a new harbor-side public square. Dokk1 is the largest construction project by the municipality of Aarhus in the city’s history.
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Dokk1-in-Aarhus-e1561360720682.jpg)
Dokk1 is Scandinavia's largest public library that represents a new generation of modern hybrid libraries.
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_site-plan-795x1193.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Dokk1_Jens-Marcus-Lindhe_06-1.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_sketch-1.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_side-view.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_corner-view-795x576.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_roof-top-sketch-795x334.jpg)
The design is a covered urban space where a large polygonal slice hovers above a glazed prism, resting on a square of ice flake-shaped stairs that fan out to the edge of the sea.
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_entrance-by-afternoon.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_exterior-stairs.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_automated-car-park.jpg)
A fully automated below ground car park and a station on the Light Rail Transit system makes Dokk1 a central traffic node for people coming to Aarhus.
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_train-795x1193.jpg)
![Dokk1 sketch](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_sketch-3-1.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_entrance-by-night-795x774.jpg)
The top slice contains offices, while the glassed space below offers 360-degree panoramic views and allows passers-by visual access to the activities within.
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_space-distribution-1.jpg)
Dokk1 appears light, with a clean rawness in line with Scandinavian tradition.
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_art-gong.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_reading-area-2-795x1071.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_reading.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_interior-detail.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_meeting-room-wall-detail-795x1193.jpg)
In contrast to this simplicity in construction, clever use of color and materials inside give areas character and facilitate easy orientation.
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_wooden-wall-detail.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_exterior-795x1125.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_playground.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_Magic-Mushrooms.jpg)
![](https://perkinswill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SHL_Architects_Dokk1_Aarhus-lights-795x530.jpg)