Aarhus University gets new research facilities for 114 million Euro

The first sod is being cut for a new building complex that will provide the future framework for the outstanding research at the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University. Comprising two parallel buildings containing new state-of-the-art laboratories, it will be constructed on the corner of Vennelyst Boulevard and Høegh-Guldbergs Gade in Aarhus. The new construction also represents the start of an extensive renovation of the department’s existing research and teaching facilities at two other locations in the University Park.

Aarhus University and the Danish Building and Property Agency are behind the project, which has a total budget of approx. 114 Euro. The project is a part of the Danish state’s investment plan for the refurbishment of the universities' laboratories and, at the same time, part of the implementation of Aarhus University's vision for strengthening the health science environments.

"It is absolutely crucial that the biomedical research facilities at Aarhus University are state-of-the-art. They give researchers the best conditions for carrying out health research at the highest international level for the benefit of the population. At the same time, new facilities help to attract the best researchers from both Denmark and abroad," says Allan Flyvbjerg, Dean at the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University.

Named after Nobel Prize winner

Also present will be the man who the new building is named after, Nobel Prize winner Jens Christian Skou. The 95 year-old emeritus professor won the prestigious award in 1997, 40 years after his discovery of a critical pump called the sodium-potassium pump, which is found in all the cells of the body.

"Jens Christian Skou’s work laid the foundation for comprehensive research into ion pumps which continues to this day at Aarhus University. His importance to health science research at Aarhus University as a whole and the Department of Biomedicine in particular has been immeasurable. We want to thank him for that by naming the new building after him," says Thomas G. Jensen, Department Head at the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University.

The actual construction work will begin at the end of September. The new buildings are expected to be completed by the end of 2016, while the renovation of the existing buildings will be completed by the end of 2018.

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About the construction work and the renovation

• The new buildings will consist of 8,300 m² laboratory buildings above ground and approx. 4,800 m² underground facilities.
• The buildings will house offices, laboratories, animal facilities and common areas for approximately 300 employees.
• Construction work is expected to be finished by the end of 2016.
• An additional 14,400 m² of the existing biomedical buildings in the University Park are being modernised, including the Bartholin building.
• The construction and renovation is financed by the Danish Building and Property Agency and Aarhus University. One-third of the funding comes from the Unilab funds which the Danish state has allocated for modernisation of the universities' laboratories.
• The project was put together by Cubo Arkitekter A/S (turnkey consultants) together with Lemming & Eriksson, Rådgivende Ingeniører A/S FRI (consulting engineers) and Thing & Wainø, Landskabsarkitekter (landscape architects).
• The groundbreaking ceremony takes place on Friday 5 September between 11:00 -12:30 at The Steno Museum, University Park, C. F. Møllers Alle, DK-8000 Aarhus C.

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Further information

Dean Allan Flyvbjerg, Aarhus University, Health
Mobile: +45 5177 9548
dean.health@au.dk

Department Head Thomas G. Jensen, Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Mobile: +45 2778 2805
thomas@biomed.au.dk