Mimicking the unearthing of archaeological sites, Henning Larsen Architects' recently opened museum has a planted roof that slopes upward out of the landscape. The Moesgaard Museum, located in Aarhus, Denmark, houses a collection dedicated to prehistory and ethnography.
The building is partly underground and its roof slopes more steeply than the surrounding terrain to create an angular section. The roof is covered in grass, moss, and flowers, and contains apertures that form terraces and allow natural light to enter exhibition spaces below.
Near the top of the roof, a horizontal section juts out to form a lookout point that provides views of the surrounding countryside and Aarhus Bay, according to Dezeen.
In mild weather, the roof can be used for outdoor events such as picnics and barbecues. In the winter, it will provide an excellent sledding spot.
As for the museum's interior, it is a terraced space equipped with a 750-square-meter foyer that spans the entire building and includes a cafe. The lower galleries, which hold a permanent exhibition dedicated to Denmark's Viking history, have 12-meter ceilings that can accommodate recreated Viking towns and burial mounds.
All photos: Jens Lindhe, courtesy Henning Larsen Architects.
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