The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum in Denmark has recently unveiled 'As Seen Below – The Dome,' a striking new Skyspace by American artist James Turrell. This installation marks the completion of 'The Next Level,' a substantial 4,000-square-meter subterranean expansion of the museum, conceived by Schmidt Hammer Lassen. Opening its doors to the public on June 19, 2026, this project signifies the culmination of over two decades of cooperative efforts involving the City of Aarhus, ARoS, and the renowned Danish architectural firm. This partnership previously yielded the original museum structure in 2004 and Olafur Eliasson's 'Your Rainbow Panorama' in 2011. Situated beneath the revitalized Musikhusparken in central Aarhus, the new Skyspace serves as the centerpiece of this latest expansion, significantly enriching the museum's collection with another large-scale artwork by Turrell.
Standing impressively at 16 meters tall with a diameter of 40 meters, 'As Seen Below – The Dome' is celebrated as the largest Skyspace ever to be realized within a museum setting. Visitors embark on a journey through an underground passage that ultimately leads them into a circular domed chamber, where a precisely engineered opening at the apex frames the sky above. This installation is a pivotal element of 'The Next Level' project, which redefines the museum's visitor flow by introducing a novel underground sequence. Unlike the original ARoS building, which guides visitors vertically through its galleries, the expansion establishes a contrasting subterranean path beneath the city, culminating in the expansive central dome space.
The creation of this project was the result of an intensive collaboration spanning more than a decade between James Turrell, ARoS, and Schmidt Hammer Lassen. Rather than integrating the artwork into an existing architectural framework, the artistic concept and the architectural design evolved concurrently. The project team emphasizes that every aspect—the dome's proportions, the celestial opening, the material choices, the intricate lighting conditions, and the curated visitor experience—was meticulously designed as interdependent components of a unified spatial encounter. The installation's immense scale necessitated the development of numerous bespoke technical and engineering innovations. A notable feature is a movable roof element, approximately 100 square meters in size, which allows the opening above the dome to be selectively closed, thereby altering the light and perceptual qualities within the space. The construction also demanded exceptional precision in fabricating the dome's interior surface and seamlessly integrating the advanced lighting systems and security measures. A circular bench within the chamber ingeniously conceals technical infrastructure while offering seating and subtly guiding visitors' gaze towards the skyward opening.
This achievement reflects a forward-thinking approach to museum architecture and art integration. Such ambitious projects highlight the evolving role of cultural institutions as dynamic spaces that blend artistic expression with innovative design, creating profound and immersive experiences for the public. It underscores the importance of collaboration across artistic and architectural disciplines to push the boundaries of what is possible, inspiring awe and contemplation in all who visit.