watch flower by bjarke ingels group forms 3D promenade

watch flower by BIG forms three dimensional promenade
image courtesy of bjarke ingels group (BIG)

‘watch flower’ is a three-dimensional public promenade cantilevering above the water’s surface in aarhus, denmark. the project, an invited competition entry from bjarke ingels group (BIG), takes its takes visitors on a journey, connecting and unifying the harbor with its surroundings.

the structure cantilevers above the water’s surface
image courtesy of bjarke ingels group (BIG)

peaking at 7.5 meters, the scheme takes the shape of a blooming flower growing out of the concrete pavement towards the sky. each ‘petal’ offers unique viewpoints of aarhus’ landscape, including the city’s historical center and the neighboring cathedral. developed to accommodate guests with physical disabilities, the continuous 155 meter path is set at a shallow 1:20 gradient, while a spiral staircase provides alternative access.

each petal of the flower provides a different view across the city
image courtesy of bjarke ingels group (BIG)

the spiraling construction in its waterfront setting
image courtesy of bjarke ingels group (BIG)

the model under construction
image courtesy of bjarke ingels group (BIG)

model highlighting the proposal’s sinuous forms
image courtesy of bjarke ingels group (BIG)

the crafted scale model of ‘watch flower’
image courtesy of bjarke ingels group (BIG)

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project info:

type: invited competition
client: municipality of aarhus
collaborators: HB trapper, søren jensen rådgivende ingeniørfirma
location: aarhus, denmark
size: 250 sqm (2,691 sqf)

partners in charge: bjarke ingels, finn nørkjaer
project leader: søren martinussen
team: jesefa templo, spencer hayden