Viby gymnasium & HF

On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday in 1968, Viby Gymnasium officially opened its doors. A special cantata filled the air, composed by Finn Savery with lyrics by Finn Methling. Viby Gymnasium wasn’t just another school. It was Aarhus’ fourth gymnasium and Denmark’s first county gymnasium, founded in 1965. The journey began three years earlier, in borrowed classrooms at Rundhøjskolen. The student body, initially around 100, quickly grew to 250, overflowing the temporary space. The rapid growth meant construction couldn’t wait for the usual architectural competition. Instead, they cleverly borrowed the blueprints from two other schools: Mulernes Legatskole in Odense and Svendborg Gymnasium. Three identical gymnasia rose simultaneously. Viby Gymnasium, however, presented a unique challenge. Unlike the sloped site of Svendborg Gymnasium, Viby required a man-made hill. This quirky detail adds to the school’s charm. The architect, Jorgen Stærmose, known for modernist masterpieces like Rigshospitalet, left his mark. The building’s streamlined facade, with its symmetrical design and repeating elements, is a testament to functionalism. Large windows bathe the interiors in light, and two symmetrical courtyards offer tranquil escapes. Originally, two houses were built on the school grounds, southwest of the main building, to accommodate the principal and janitor. Later, these were repurposed for teaching. The janitor even had a dog, Magnus, a beloved member of the school community. Over time, a new teacher’s room, a science wing, and a hall expanded the campus. Viby Gymnasium’s art collection is another point of pride. It boasts works by renowned artists like Hans Christian Rylander and Thomas Bang. A colorful abstract composition by Erik Lagoni Jakobsen, once gracing the assembly hall’s end wall, is now hidden behind a staircase, a reminder of the school’s evolving history.