Construction milestone: Kunsthal Spritten invites you to a special ceremony

The project has been underway for many years, and now the ambitious Kunsthal Spritten is reaching an important milestone.

The roof trusses and steel beam structures are now in place, and soon a new upper level made of recycled bricks will be added on top of the former power station of the historic distillery. That building is currently being transformed into Denmark’s new art centre for contemporary art: Kunsthal Spritten.

This is the first time in Danish history that construction is taking place on top of a listed building – a solution chosen to preserve as much of the historic structure as possible, including the beautiful façades of both the building itself and the entire complex.

“An awe-inspiring task that requires both great humility and courage,” says Mette Tony from Praksis Arkitekter, who designed the project.

On 27 March, residents of Aalborg and other curious visitors are invited to a topping-out ceremony and open house, where they will, for the first time, be able to experience the scale of the future art centre – including the new exhibition space, Kedelhallen, with an impressive ceiling height of 11 metres.

An awe-inspiring task for the architects

Kunsthal Spritten has been designed by the architectural firm Praksis Arkitekter. In order to preserve as much of the historic boiler hall as possible – including its beautiful façades – an additional floor in recycled brick has been added on top of the existing building.

Altogether, this creates 3,000 square metres of art centre space.

It is the first time in Danish history that construction is carried out on top of a listed building. At the topping-out ceremony, guests will, for the first time, have the opportunity to experience the scale of the future art centre – including the new, magnificent exhibition space Kedelhallen with its 11-metre-high ceiling.

At the same time, guests can see and hear about how everything from small existing electrical outlets to bricks is being reused.

“Kunsthal Spritten is a very special project that means a great deal to us. Building onto a listed building is an awe-inspiring task that requires both great humility and courage.

The grand spaces of the boiler hall are now becoming accessible to all of us; those rooms are overwhelming in themselves.

It has been important for us to keep the original spaces as intact as possible, because they possess an irreplaceable quality.

The entire area around the distillery is unique; therefore it is important that the transformation from boiler hall to art centre strengthens the area’s authenticity and contributes to the new neighbourhood with accessibility, life and light,” says Mette Tony, owner and architect MAA MDB at Praksis Arkitekter.

One of Denmark’s most ambitious transformation projects

The historic industrial building, which was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Stauning in 1931, is designated a national industrial heritage site – and is now being transformed into an art centre of international stature.

“Kunsthal Spritten is one of Denmark’s most ambitious transformation projects, where, with great respect for the past, listed industrial buildings are transformed into a vibrant art centre for contemporary art.

The craftsmen and all project staff are working with a complex and demanding task that is challenging on a daily basis. Therefore, the joy of having come this far is equally great.

Thanks to all craftsmen and project staff for the tremendous effort toward our shared ambition with Kunsthal Spritten. The topping-out ceremony celebrates an important milestone in the construction,” says Peter Spøer, chairman of the board of the Artcenter Spritten Property Foundation.

Where art, society and everyday life intersect

The red-brick factory complex is a piece of Danish history with a central location on Aalborg’s waterfront. Kunsthal Spritten will activate the potential of contemporary art for more people – through exhibitions and activities for both children and adults, inside and outside the building.

The aim is to put life and everyday experiences into a new perspective and to make everyone who visits the art centre curious and engaged in the surrounding society.

What this means in practice, guests will get a taste of on 27 March, when the programme includes, among other things, a speech by Aalborg’s Mayor Lasse Frimand Jensen, communal singing and a surprise.

“With the topping-out ceremony, we mark yet another important milestone for Kunsthal Spritten and for the city. Soon Aalborg will have an art centre where contemporary art can unfold in close dialogue with the site’s history and the local community.

With Kunsthal Spritten, we are creating a new, significant space for contemporary art in Denmark – a place where art, society and everyday life intersect. And honestly; we can hardly wait any longer,” say Signe Jochumsen and Bibi Henriksen Saugman, the director duo at Kunsthal Spritten.

Aalborg on the world map

Aalborg’s mayor, Lasse Frimand Jensen, is proud of the project and believes that Kunsthal Spritten will become a cultural and everyday destination of international calibre.

“It is a major milestone to hold a topping-out ceremony for Kunsthal Spritten, which is not just a new building, but a new cultural and experiential beacon in Aalborg Municipality. I am delighted that we are getting closer and closer to the art centre coming alive with residents and tourists who will embark on adventures in everything new.

This includes, among other things, the artwork Cloud City, which will rise 30 metres here by the Limfjord.

I am very proud that we are transforming a historic distillery – a historic landmark for Aalborg Municipality – into an innovative cultural gathering place for both young and old,” says Lasse Frimand Jensen, Mayor of Aalborg Municipality.

“Kunsthal Spritten is undoubtedly a completely unique project, where we both reuse Aalborg’s DNA and incorporate sustainability and reuse into the construction. When the doors open to Kunsthal Spritten and the monumental artwork Cloud City, residents and visitors from all over the world will experience something spectacular and culturally unique.

The significance of this cannot be overstated. And with the upcoming topping-out ceremony, it becomes more tangible – as we approach the culmination of many years of hard work with many ups and downs, so I am very much looking forward to it,” says Jan Nymark Rose Thaysen, Councillor for Climate, Culture and Health in Aalborg Municipality.

Together with Aalborg Municipality, the philanthropic association Realdania is the main contributor to the art centre.

Stine Lea Jacobi, Philanthropy Director at Realdania, says:

“It is wonderful that the project has now come so far that the people of Aalborg can come inside and see the impressive work of the craftsmen and advisers on a piece of listed cultural heritage. They deserve a big pat on the back. I very much look forward to the opening – for Aalborg and for the many visitors I am sure will come here to experience Kunsthal Spritten.”

At Spritten, contemporary art is activated and new formats are tested outside the building through collaborations with other institutions and societal actors, including initiatives related to school meals and meals in nursing homes, as well as at cultural festivals such as Kulturmødet Mors.

The transformation of the distillery into an art centre is being realised with support from Realdania and Aalborg Municipality. Cloud City is a large-scale, site-specific artwork created by Tomás Saraceno, supported by Det Obelske Familiefond, Spar Nord Fonden, Ny Carlsbergfondet, Salling Fondene, Augustinus Fonden, Knud Højgaards Fond, A. Enggaard A/S and Wagner Ejendomme.