Fjordenhus marks Studio Olafur Eliasson's first complete building, commissioned by KIRK KAPITAL for Vejle, Denmark. Four intersecting cylinders rise 28 meters from the fjord, connected to shore by footbridge. The brick facades feature ellipsoidal voids-negative spaces carved from the cylindrical volumes creating arched windows and curved openings. Each floor plan derives from the cylindrical intersections: circles and ellipses organize spatial layouts. Spiral staircases and round vestibules connect levels. The ground floor opens to public access, with water from Vejle Fjord flowing through two aqueous zones containing site-specific artworks. The geometric concept derives from cylindrical intersections creating complex spatial relationships. At night, interior lighting transforms the building into a beacon visible across the fjord.
Research: Four cylinders intersect at calculated angles, creating complex spatial intersections. Ellipsoidal voids subtract from cylindrical volumes through Boolean operations-computational geometry determines exact curves and structural implications. Each floor's circular/elliptical plan results from horizontal slicing through the intersected cylinders at different heights. The geometric challenge: maintaining structural integrity while maximizing void spaces for windows and openings. Brick construction required precise formwork for curved surfaces. Water integration demanded careful elevation calculations-tidal variations affect the aqueous zones' behavior.
Photography: Studio Olafur Eliasson, Anders Sune Berg
