DGI House, Aarhus

DGI House in Aarhus is a comprehensive sports and activity center located in a historically significant building that once served as a central workshop for the Danish national railway company, DSB. Built in 1910, these facilities were a hub for railway repair until their closure by DSB in 1990, after which they were acquired by Aarhus Municipality. In 1997, the sports organization Danish Gymnastics & Sports Associations (DGI) purchased the property, transforming it into its primary facility in Aarhus after extensive renovations completed in 2003.

The modern incarnation of the DGI House includes a striking blend of historic and contemporary architecture, characterized by a new building that complements the old repair facilities. This new structure houses a reception area, a café, conference rooms, and a commercial wellness shop spread over 110 square meters. The center features a variety of sports facilities across its 5,000 square meter floor area, including three sports halls of different sizes, a trampoline hall, a climbing wall, and a rhythmic gymnastics hall. Additionally, it houses fitness and spinning facilities which were added in 2007 in the Baumann House, previously home to the train repair yard offices.

The renovation, led by construction company NCC and designed by architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen and 3XN with engineering by Rambøll, preserved the original features of the railway workshops. This includes gates for trains, movable internal cranes, and distinctive windows—some up to 10 meters with iron frames and others 6 meters with wooden frames. The design maintains the building's industrial aesthetic with visible support structures, large skylights, and exposed brick walls.

Located strategically next to Bruuns Galleri and Aarhus Central Station, the building itself is a listed structure, reflecting its significant historical and architectural value.