A masterplan by schmidt hammer lassen architects (shla) is to transform a site of a former slaughterhouse in Horsens of Western Denmark into a mixed-use commercial, office and cultural complex including residential areas.

The 70,000 m2 development on the site of a former abattoir is located on a 34,000 m2 site adjacent to the Horsens railway station and will include recreational spaces, office development and new retail facilities.

The Danish contractor A. Enggaard A/S has purchased the site and will develop it in collaboration with shopping center specialists braaten+pedersen (DK), the NIRAS Consulting Engineers (DK), and schmidt hammer lassen architects.  Four other consortia participated in the developer competition, which was held in 2008.

shla’s master plan received particular praise for its dynamic design which will create a sense of cohesion between the city’s existing urban identity and the new retail and recreational areas.

Kim Holst Jensen, project director, from shla, said: ‘the practice’s design will create a vibrant cultural and commercial hub for the city. The housing blocks, the green areas, the squares and the railway form a border between the center and the park and together create a dynamic civic scale.’

Each building in the complex will have a strong, architectural identity whilst great emphasis has been placed on creating interesting and people-friendly public spaces.

Facts about ‘Mixed-use master plan in Horsens’:

* Size of site: 34.000 m2
* Total built surface:  70.000 m2
* Competition year: 2008
* Construction sum: Confidential
* Architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects
* Landscape architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects
* Contractor: A. Enggaard A/S (DK)
* Engineer: Niras A/S (DK)
* Shopping center specialist: braaten+pedersen (DK)