– where art and acoustics go hand in hand.
At ARoS Art Museum in Aarhus, architecture, art, and acoustics come together in two exceptional projects featuring world-class acoustic solutions delivered by Hz Acoustic.
The new acoustic ceilings at ARoS form part of the museum’s major extension, which includes an underground gallery and The Dome, a Skyspace by James Turrell. The extension is designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen, and contractor Aarsleff is responsible for the build. The elegant acoustic ceilings have been installed by our skilled partner, DK Akustik Vest.
The project consists of two unique components: the open, atmospheric Art Square, leading visitors towards James Turrell’s artpiece The Dome, a Skyspace, and the underground Salling Gallery, a new 1,000 m² exhibition space for large-scale contemporary art.
In the new Art Square – the transitional space guiding visitors into Turrell’s iconic ‘The Dome, a Skyspace by James Turrell’ installation – light, volume, and acoustics are balanced with great care.
Here, we supplied Hz Plus acoustic panels, finished with our Hz Acoustic Plaster 03 to create a smooth, seamless surface. The plaster is particularly well suited for organic and curved geometries, such as the circular skylight that brings daylight into the space and generates an almost meditative atmosphere.
Along the walls, precisely fitted edge trims provide a sharp, refined finish that follows the gentle curve of the passage. The result is a calm, cohesive surface in which the ceiling becomes a natural part of the architecture, supporting the spatial experience rather than dominating it.
At the same time, the acoustic ceiling ensures a pleasant sound environment, allowing visitors to move towards the artwork in quiet contemplation – fully aligned with the intention behind Turrell’s light installation.
The second part of the project is the Salling Gallery, an underground exhibition hall of 1,000 square metres. Here, a raw, industrial concrete setting forms the backdrop for large-scale international contemporary art.
For this space, we supplied Hz Dual 011-R acoustic panels, made from upcycled textile waste, together with Hz Acoustic Plaster 09, which also contains finely processed textile waste – including recycled bedsheets from a local laundry.
The plaster is tinted and adjusted to match the architectural expression of the room, giving the surface depth and character without compromising sound absorption. The combination of recycled materials and advanced acoustic technology results in a ceiling that unites sustainability, function, and aesthetics – a perfect match for ARoS’ ambition to merge art and architecture.
The acoustic ceiling improves the reverberation conditions in the large gallery and supports an environment where sound, light, and artistic immersion are in balance. The architecture frames the art rather than competing with it.
With the expansion of ARoS and the opening of The Dome and the Salling Gallery, the museum adds a new chapter to the cultural landscape of Aarhus. For us at Hz Acoustic, it is a privilege to contribute to a project where sound, light, and materials are considered integral to the overall artistic experience.
Whether in a light-filled passage or in a raw subterranean gallery, the project demonstrates how modern acoustic solutions can be adapted to any architectural expression – from the understated to the monumental.
Would you like to know more about our acoustic ceilings for museums, galleries, and public spaces?
Contact us – we will be happy to help you create spaces where acoustics, aesthetics, and technical performance come together.
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