Architecture News

In Aarhus, Denmark, a striking new architectural feature has emerged beside the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum: a gently rising, circular, grass-covered mound. This innovative structure is distinguished by a central dark oculus, ingeniously turning the vast Danish sky into an integral part of the museum's art collection. Contained within this unique formation is 'As Seen Below – The Dome,' a monumental Skyspace by the renowned artist James Turrell. This permanent light installation, which first opened its doors in January 2026, was thoughtfully timed to precede the museum's full reopening for the summer solstice in June 2026. It promises an extraordinary experience, guiding visitors into the depths beneath the museum's foundations before subtly reorienting their gaze toward the celestial expanse above.

This particular Skyspace marks a significant milestone as Turrell's 100th such creation and stands as his most expansive installation within a museum environment. Towering sixteen meters (52 feet) high and stretching forty meters (130 feet) in diameter, the domed space introduces a novel subterranean realm to ARoS, dedicated to exploring light, human perception, and the dynamic interplay of weather. It further enriches a museum campus already celebrated for its large-scale installations, including Olafur Eliasson's 'Your Rainbow Panorama,' which gracefully arches above the museum's rooftop. Photographer Danica O. Kus had the exclusive opportunity to capture the installation's profound and ethereal ambiance before its public debut, documenting its immersive qualities.

The journey into James Turrell's Skyspace at ARoS commences with an underground passage, leading guests away from the urban landscape and into the serene circular chamber. This deliberate descent is fundamental to the artwork's conceptual framework. Turrell describes 'As Seen Below' as a conscious odyssey of entering the earth to subsequently emerge into the heavens, with this very movement establishing the installation's intrinsic physical rhythm even before the subtle shifts in light begin to unfold. Inside the dome, a vast circular opening perfectly frames the sky, offering an unobstructed view. The interior, sparse in visual distractions, compels the eye to focus keenly on the nuances of color, scale, and the ever-changing boundary between the architectural form and the atmospheric canvas. Turrell succinctly captures the essence of his work, noting, 'The architecture brings the sky close, so you realize that the very act of seeing is the artwork itself,' underscoring the viewer's active role in experiencing the piece.

The installation operates across various modes, each designed to manipulate perception. In 'Open Sky' mode, the oculus remains uncovered during museum hours, presenting the sky as a continuously evolving field of color. Conversely, in 'Colour Shift' mode, the aperture closes, transforming the chamber into an entirely enclosed environment. Here, light cascades across the walls, creating an illusion that dissolves the dome's physical boundaries. During the 'Twilight' sessions, synchronized with sunrise and sunset, artificial hues blend with the natural ambient light, giving the impression that the sky itself is responding to the changing colors. Turrell's extensive artistic career has consistently explored the delicate, often fluid boundary between objective reality and subjective perception. With a background deeply rooted in art and the psychology of perception, and a long association with the Light and Space movement, Turrell has dedicated over five decades to treating light as a medium to inhabit, to feel, and to critically examine. His philosophy, 'I work with light to shape how we perceive,' finds a particularly poignant and direct expression within the Aarhus dome, inviting a profound reconsideration of how we engage with our surroundings.

This opening culminates a significant expansion of ARoS, a collaborative endeavor with Schmidt Hammer Lassen and the Municipality of Aarhus. Beyond the Skyspace, the project encompasses The Salling Gallery, an underground exhibition area for yearly contemporary art commissions that opened in 2025, and ARoS Art Square, a permanent outdoor venue for artistic presentations. Financial support was generously provided by the Salling Foundations, the New Carlsberg Foundation, Aarhus Municipality, ARoS, and an anonymous private donor. From an aerial perspective, the new installation manifests as a circular indentation within the museum grounds, situated harmoniously alongside ARoS's traditional red-brick edifice and the elevated, circular pathway of 'Your Rainbow Panorama.' This arrangement establishes a direct, yet non-repetitive, dialogue between the works. While Eliasson's walkway infuses the city skyline with color from above, Turrell's dome orchestrates a journey below ground, compelling visitors to look skyward from a secluded and contemplative space.

This innovative installation is a testament to the transformative power of art, inviting introspection and a renewed appreciation for the natural world. It beautifully illustrates how human creativity can deepen our connection to the environment, encouraging us to perceive the familiar with fresh eyes and an open mind. By seamlessly integrating the sky into a museum experience, Turrell challenges conventional boundaries between art, architecture, and nature, fostering a sense of wonder and contemplative engagement that elevates the spirit.

A Fusion of Heritage and Innovation: Al Maha Island's Cultural Renaissance

The Grand Vision for Al Maha Island: A Cultural Oasis Emerges

Herzog & de Meuron, a renowned architectural firm, has presented its comprehensive masterplan for Al Maha Island, a sprawling 230,000 square meter man-made landmass located in Lusail, Qatar. This visionary project was showcased during Art Basel 2026 by Jacques Herzog, alongside Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz. The island is set to become a vibrant epicenter of culture and refined living, bringing together cutting-edge architecture, diverse artistic expressions, culinary excellence, and a strong sense of community. The extensive blueprint includes the distinctive bowl-shaped Lusail Museum by the Swiss studio, a dedicated permanent home for future Art Basel Qatar editions, a modern marketplace (souk), lush gardens, a variety of dining establishments, an exclusive boutique hotel, and a collection of upscale waterfront villas, elevated residences, and stylish townhouses.

The Lusail Museum: A Beacon of Global Cultural Exchange

First introduced in 2024, the Lusail Museum is destined to be the cultural cornerstone of both Al Maha Island and the broader Lusail City. This world-class institution is envisioned as a dynamic platform for international cultural diplomacy, fostering dialogue on the historical and contemporary interactions that shape global societies. Sheikha Al-Mayassa highlighted during the Basel presentation that despite its initial planned location, the museum's architectural purity and the significance of its collection led to its relocation to Al Maha Island. She emphasized that the island offers a rare opportunity for foreign ownership of homes and land, facilitating the development of a holistic ecosystem comprising residential zones, a boutique hotel, and a souk that harmonizes contemporary elements with traditional Qatari heritage.

Architectural Narratives Inspired by Qatari Roots

Strategically positioned near the historical site where Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of modern Qatar, established his residence in the late 1800s, Al Maha Island's masterplan embodies a modern perspective deeply connected to the region's rich legacy. The construction of this masterplan is projected to commence in 2028. Throughout the design, Herzog & de Meuron integrates indigenous building styles and distinct architectural expressions tailored to the island's diverse residential, commercial, and cultural precincts. The design subtly reflects regional traditions through elements like courtyard houses and townhouses interconnected by shaded, narrow streets and enclosed gardens. Additionally, monolithic, earth-toned structures are designed to seemingly emerge from the very ground, creating a seamless integration with the landscape. Jacques Herzog commented on the unique context of building on a man-made island, emphasizing the desire for the project to be organically integrated, utilizing local materials like sand and rock to achieve a unified aesthetic rather than an imported feel.

Nature's Embrace: Integrating Green Spaces and Indigenous Wildlife

The island's experiential design prominently features nature, with a series of 'gem' gardens strategically integrated to offer tranquil spaces for reflection and natural wayfinding. To revitalize and support native ecosystems, the project will collaborate with local nurseries and initiatives dedicated to indigenous species, such as those championed by the Qatar Foundation. Herzog emphasized that each garden should be as unique as the buildings themselves, aiming for a distinctive landscape rather than a generic golf resort aesthetic. He stressed the importance of precisely integrating every natural element, using plants traditional to the Doha region. The Arabian oryx, a native species, will also be incorporated into the landscape. Sheikha Al-Mayassa noted that 'Al Maha' means oryx in Arabic, and the oryx is a national symbol, expressing pride in Qatar's role in preventing the species' extinction.

Seamless Connectivity and Art Basel's Permanent Home

Transportation to and from Doha and Lusail will be enhanced by both water transport and dedicated bridges for vehicles and pedestrians. The island's subtly elevated, undulating terrain allows for all infrastructure to be hidden underground, creating a pedestrian-friendly surface free of traffic. This design preserves unobstructed views of the water and surrounding reefs. The residential areas will boast over 150 units, including waterfront homes, hilltop villas, townhouses, and apartments, alongside a planned boutique hotel. Annually, the island will host Art Basel Qatar, becoming its latest and most significant addition to the nation's cultural calendar, following its initial edition last February. Instead of a conventional exhibition hall, the vision for the permanent exhibition space spans the entire island. The Al Maha bridge will serve as the ceremonial entrance to the fair, transforming the entire ecosystem, including local restaurants, into an immersive, island-wide experience. This expansive approach allows Al Maha to become a creative hub for reimagining the future of art fairs. Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz expressed excitement about this co-creation, highlighting the opportunity to truly build something unique with partners and to forge deep connections with new regions, artists, and institutions.

Sustainable Design and Community Integration for Event Architecture

The masterplan innovatively addresses the challenge of designing large-scale event venues: how to ensure functionality and relevance when major events like Art Basel are not in session. Recognizing the high local demand for cultural spaces, the design prioritizes flexibility and long-term sustainability over elaborate, high-maintenance spectacles. The architecture is intentionally modest and adaptable, designed to age gracefully without imposing unnecessary upkeep or energy costs on future generations. Because the exhibition space is embedded within a vibrant community, it is designed to adapt to the diverse needs of the island's residents, easily transforming to host film screenings, weddings, conferences, or intimate gatherings. This integrated approach reflects the studio's broader philosophy for the island. Herzog articulated that their architectural work is less about a singular brilliant idea and more about ensuring every element contributes to a cohesive vision, realizing the project through its construction methods to evoke a distinct feeling from conventional developments.

Exploring the Architectural Marvel of Lusail Museum's Interior

At the southern tip of Al Maha Island, the Lusail Museum stands as the cultural heart of the masterplan. Herzog & de Meuron's design features a circular form defined by three intersecting spheres, shaping the building into two distinct volumes: one reminiscent of a full moon, the other a protective crescent. Rooted in its coastal environment, the exterior will be constructed from locally sourced sand and rock, minimizing reliance on imported materials and making the building appear as a monolithic, earthy extension of the landscape. The facade's deeply recessed windows serve as a climate-responsive defense against the intense Gulf sun, inspired by the protective shade and intricate details of traditional Islamic architecture. This deliberate recessing shields visitors from heat while offering uninterrupted views of the sea and Lusail City.

A Journey Through Art and Ideas: Inside the Lusail Museum

Inside, a naturally illuminated, crescent-shaped internal street connects the entrances to a central lobby and public areas. Here, tactile elements—a polished plaster staircase, a wood-paneled library, and a reflective metal prayer space—enrich the sensory experience. However, the museum's most striking spatial innovation is found in its exhibition design. Breaking from the traditional 'white cube' model, the architects have incorporated full-scale, precisely proportioned replicas of historic domes from across the Islamic world, including a towering Iranian structure. Stripped of their traditional ornamentation, these striking, abstract white volumes act as monumental backdrops for contemporary installations and visual projections. This intentional juxtaposition of historical architectural scale with modern, abstract voids promises a unique and dynamic gallery experience. Herzog explained their interest in using the authentic proportions of original structures without their decoration, aiming for a compelling interplay of diverse spaces rather than conventional white cube galleries.

Beyond the Walls: Culture's Impact on Community and Economy

Beyond its architectural ambition, the museum will house Qatar Museums' extensive collection of Orientalist art, featuring masterpieces by Eugène Delacroix, Gustav Bauernfeind, and Jean-Léon Gérôme, alongside an exceptional photography archive. More than just a repository for historical works, the building will also serve as the home of the Lusail Institute. Conceived as a 'museum of ideas,' the Institute will leverage the surrounding art and architecture to foster advanced research, public discourse, and multimedia production. By creating a dedicated space for cutting-edge thought and cultural exchange, the museum ensures its role as an active, evolving forum rather than a static monument.

Qatar's Cultural Transformation: A Public-Private Partnership Success

The Al Maha Island masterplan represents the culmination of two decades of cultural evolution in Qatar. Sheikha Al-Mayassa recalled a time when skepticism surrounded the idea of building museums. However, the resounding success of landmarks like I.M. Pei's Museum of Islamic Art and Jean Nouvel's National Museum of Qatar fundamentally shifted this perspective, transforming these institutions into bustling community catalysts. Building on this momentum, Al Maha Island marks Qatar's first large-scale development undertaken through a public-private partnership. While the prime real estate could have easily been exploited for purely commercial ventures, the project's private investors championed a national vision that places culture at the forefront of societal development. The Sheikha explained that their belief in the transformative power of established museums to enhance quality of life and attract creatives to Qatar is a testament to the maturity of society and a deep understanding of culture's influence.

Empowering Artisans: A Sustainable Economic and Cultural Legacy

This cultural influence extends far beyond the exhibition halls, directly enriching the regional economy. Instead of relying solely on industrialized construction, the project's interiors will be shaped by skilled artisans from across the Middle East and South Asia, including Afghanistan, Palestine, India, and Syria. By integrating traditional techniques into these contemporary spaces, the development is creating a sustainable new market that elevates the global perception of regional craftsmanship. Sheikha Al-Mayassa emphasized that this project transcends high art and culture, highlighting that every element will be crafted by artisans from their region. She stressed the creation of a new market and the elevation of regional craftsmanship, asserting that the lives of these artisans will be transformed, which stands as one of the project's most significant legacies.