PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The key challenge of our design is to create a new local recreation area as a continuation of the already existing, but very fragmented recreation area and a new housing development with a strong identity.

Urban Strategy:
1. Connecting Suburbia and Lifting of the Ground: Our design deals with the problem of the divided, abandoned space adjacent to the railways. We reconnect the suburban voids; transform them into a parkscape that connects over the railway. The ground lifts over the railways and creates a sky park – a bridge that is oscillating between bridge and park.
2. Thickening and Inflation of the Ground. The ground gets thickened – physically and by programme.
A new typology out of semi-public and public programmes is generated: the inhabitants and the visitors can enjoy the spa, the restaurant, the supermarket, the lounge and the conference rooms. The additional programmes allow for an inflation of the ground area and bring new neighbourhood activities into this suburban wasteland.
3. Porosity and Twisting: A field of towers is growing out of the ground. Four towers always meet to create a bundled tower. These eight bundled towers are characterized by their polydirectional orientations. Changing directions generates surprising views and various passages through the field. The twisting of the towers intensifies visually the urban porosity.
This polydirectional field allows realizing the different qualities of the surrounding – like quietness in the backyards and views over the industrial area at the front– without stigmatising one of them. Our design is proposing a field-like ensemble of repetitive towers with changing orientation.

Vertical Living: The living units are organised vertically: apartments are arranged over one, two and three floors - different living types create spaces for all kind of user groups.

Extended Living: A huge transition zone defines each living unit. The double-layered façade area is usable as live or work space, winter garden, loggia, climatic and acoustic protection.
Each living unit can be used as home office, which can temporally expand into the urban lobby. Meeting rooms and the lounge can be leased as casual meeting areas or can be used as leisure activity areas in the neighbourhood. Each living unit takes advantage of the semi private and public spaces - like green spaces, the restaurant, playgrounds, the Spa or the supermarket.

CREDITS: