The new museum for contemporary art (HEART) in Herning lies on a hill between an industrial estate and an expressway, near a former shirt factory. The building makes reference to the significance of the site, the history of the textile industry, and to the museum’s collection, in large part donated by the industrialist Aage Damgaard. The museum appears to rise up from the reflecting pool and the grass-covered berms: four arms radiate out from the building’s centre and extend outdoors in the form of elongated berms connecting architecture and landscape. This interplay furnishes surprising changes in view, and the play of light and shadow underscores the sculptural quality. Five strips of roof segment are arranged and laid over one another like shirtsleeves. The architectural leitmotif is even evident in the facades: the white concrete walls appear to be cloaked in a pattern of creases. Treasure troves – the exhibition spaces – are the heart of the building; they are surrounded by the foyer, concert hall, library, restaurant and open-air stage. These can all be used without disturbing the quiet atmosphere in the exhibition spaces. The interiors are characterized by vaulted ceiling elements whose convex surfaces are reminiscent of billowing fabric or of sails. Contrary to first impressions, the roof elements are not monolithic shells, but rather are constructed of steel lattice girders and a plastered sub-structure.
The exposed concrete facades were executed in white concrete. Each of the elements extends the height of the building and was poured in one step to avoid horizontal seams. The facade texture – a modern day bas relief – is attained with a special formwork skin: a plastic net with a mesh size of 2.5 by 2.5 mm that is normally used as wind protection in barns. For the desired creased effect the 2.10 m wide membrane was first crumpled and then weighed down underneath the formwork panels. These membranes were subsequently affixed to the timber boarding – with paper clips. When the formwork was removed, the net clung to the surface of the concrete and was pulled off.
