For the dense 50’000 sqm development, the competition brief called for a differntiated, urban environment – but it was to be designed only by one architectural office. For us, this seemed unsatisfying, given the success of city fabrics that thrive through individual handwriting of different architects. This led us to inviting three other architectural practises to a process where we worked out an urban masterplan for the area, with each office working on two resp. three buildings once the masterplan was set.
The urban plan takes up the theme of the surrounding industrial parcels, forming courts as well as linear sight lines that enable a view through the whole development. The five courts each provide different services and atmospheres, such as urban gardening and a courtyard for light manufacturing to the inhabitants, who can also rent and even program the adjacent ground floor spaces. A community center provides central services and helps to administrate these spaces.
