Architectural Style

Form, imagination and function

ARKEN stretches into the landscape, letting its axes continue into Strandparken, blurring the boundary between architecture and surroundings.  At the same time the building does not appear as a coherent form. Rather the floor plan presents a number of joined building parts. Different elements put together in an expressive manner. ARKEN is built in a Deconstructivist architecture style.

The building can be regarded as a dynamic organism stretching its long arms into the landscape. With the expressive and spectacular architecture the architect Søren Robert Lund wished to challenge the exhibited works of art.

The original museum has a grey and raw style, whereas the new extensions are built with other materials that have softened the expression, making the edifice now appear brighter and more open and welcoming.

The latest extensions have also made the museum more functional. Today a museum visit is more than merely seeing an exhibition. Rather it is a total experience of art, café visit, purchases in the shop and relaxation where the impressions are allowed to settle. With the extensions there is now room for all functions.