Tendering: Who is to build Aarhus BSS’ areas in the University City?

During the next ten years, Aarhus University will expand its campus in the middle of the city by  concentrating AU’s areas in Aarhus in the University Park, the University City and Katrinebjerg. The goal is to create a framework for a unified university that meets the needs of tomorrow in terms of research activities and study environments, and which supports a strong entrepreneurial culture.

Moving Aarhus BSS’ activities at Fuglesangs Allé to the new University City is part of the university’s vision of a more unified, strong and well-integrated Campus 2.0. It is also an important element in the development of the University City. And with Aarhus BSS’ approved tender documents, the university is now one important step closer to the vision. 

Content of the tender documents 

The final tender documents have been developed by Aarhus BSS, TRANSFORM, FEAS, Rambøll as well as AU Finance and Estates Projects and Development. The documents list the school’s specific wishes and needs in the new University City and are based on the 10 general principles for Campus 2.0, which constitute the strategic framework of AU’s campus development. Thomas Pallesen, dean at Aarhus BSS, elaborates: 

“In the tender documents, we focus specifically on securing physical proximity between researchers and students and opening Aarhus BSS and AU up to the outside world. We also focus on ensuring a good study environment, supporting the teaching formats of the future and strengthening our interdisciplinary collaboration. The ambition is to create the best possible physical surroundings for all our stakeholders and contribute to making the University City an active, outgoing and city-integrated part of Aarhus University.”

The tender documents are also based on the status report, which was developed after the extensive user involvement process conducted at Aarhus BSS in 2018. And on analyses of the school’s current and future needs in terms of offices, lecture theatres, classrooms, recreational study areas, areas for conferences and events, library,  places to eat, etc.

Autumn negotiations

With the tender documents approved by the Campus 2.0 steering committee, FEAS together with the university will now carry out an invitation to tender.  In the remainder of the year, negotiations will thus be conducted with the teams of contractors who have submitted a tender to undertake the project.

And the winner is...

When the participating teams of contractors have submitted their final tender proposals, these will be evaluated by an assessment committee, who will then select a winner. The assessment committee will consist of two or three representatives from Aarhus University and from FEAS and two professional assessors. The winner of the project is expected to be announced at the end of March 2021. With the contractor in place, the work of developing the campus of the future can begin.  

Take a virtual tour of the University City 

Want to see how the University City will end up looking? Then take a sneak peak by downloading the app ‘Universitetsbyen’. The app will take you on a tour of the future University City using augmented reality. Read more and download the app here.

Facts about Aarhus BSS’ relocation to the University City

• Aarhus BSS is scheduled to move its activities at Fuglesangs Allé (the Department of Management and the Department of Economics and Business Economics) to the University City in the summer of 2025.
• This will gather Aarhus BSS’ activities at Fuglesangs Allé and the school’s other activities in Aarhus (the Department of Political Science, the Department of Law and the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences) across Nørrebrogade. Aarhus BSS also includes the Department of Business Development and Technology in Herning.

Further information

• Website about AU’s campus development.
• Website about campus development at Aarhus BSS Here you can find a time schedule for the project.
• More news about Campus 2.0