Aarhus Gymnastics & Motor Skills Hall
Aarhus Gymnastics and Motor Skills Hall invites children to exercise and develop their motor skills. The architectural firm behind the innovative design is C.F. Møller Architects.
The Motor Skills Hall has been a pioneer for the surrounding world and inspires new exercise cultures both in Denmark and abroad. The physical environment also serves as an educational partner which motivates the children to physical exercise.
Quality of Life & Accessibility
In an evaluation of Aarhus Gymnastics and Motor Skills Hall made by NIRAS in 2015, observations and user explanations show that the physical environment in the hall serves as an educational partner for the exercise of the children. Internal and external instructors and teachers state that the space in itself motivates the children to exercise and that they do not have to structure the exercises as in other places. One element which is highlighted in the evaluation is the layout and design of the space that arouse the curiosity and senses of the children, and the different equipment which naturally takes the children to new places in the hall.
Health & Branding
The Motor Skills Hall has been a pioneer and inspires new exercise cultures both in Denmark and abroad. The hall has motivated several children in the area to take up gymnastics, and several instructors and teachers state in the evaluation made by NIRAS that the children will only do gymnastics there. The gymnastics associations have seen a massive increase in member numbers and have many children on their waiting lists – also many that have never before been interested in gymnastics. The unique design of the exercise landscape has attracted people from near and far. The day-to-day manager of the hall also tells in the evaluation that people with an interest in architecture visit the hall to see and be inspired by the hall.
About the case
The success of Aarhus Gymnastics and Motor Skills Hall can to a high degree be ascribed to its intelligent design. A central feature is the sculptural climbing frame extending from floor to ceiling in an obstacle course where the children are taken through various systems and platforms. At a height of eight metres, the climbing landscape ends in a glass tower overlooking Aarhus Bay and Mols Bjerge. The hall has flexibly furnished zones with trampolines, climbing net and ropes to a foam fit. The hall is very popular with the visiting children and sports associations. The hall is the subject of massive attention for its innovative exercise design.