In Transition – A Local Metropolis

The site, characterized by highly heterogeneous areas, has led to a project which can adapt in time and scale to different conditions.

New developments shall be implemented process-related, reaching from short term, informal interventions to a long term urbanism based on a combination of small and big scale buildings. Small scale buildings establish a vivid permeable ground floor, 100% public and equipped with multiple functions and urban spaces adapted to human scale. This ground floor can integrate existing structures  and sets up a common ground for high-rise buildings, being visible from afar and offering great perspectives on the Parisian cityscape. The simultaneousness of small and big, local and metropolitan scale shall create a unique vision of a contemporary city.

Links:

Europan Europe

Europan France

Fabian Wallmüller

Yewo Landscapes

]]> http://www.coarch.org/?feed=rss2&p=638 0 http://www.coarch.org/?p=206 http://www.coarch.org/?p=206#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:40:34 +0000 admin http://www.coarch.org/?p=206 EUROPAN 10, El Hierro, in cooperation with Elisabeth Koller & Tobias Brown [2009]

A project for Valverde, El Hierro, Spain

The project aimes for the integration of natural and cultural ressources into a man made land culminating in the very specific functioning of an architectural typology. As the smallest unit and basis of a bigger entity this typology will reflect the complex processes of the whole settlement.

The examination on a historical typology would be the inital point for the proposed project. The spirit of these houses was strongly defined by the sophisticated allocation of uses. This typology allows a reaction on changing familiy structures, a combination of living and working in a well-balanced way and also shows a clearly defined hierarchy of public and private spaces.

As a very specific regional element appears the additional space connected to the main building but differing in function and use (crop storage, livestock breeding, workshop) Although this is an ‚old’ system it seems, to fulfill more than ever what modern living calls for.

By developing a typology that is leaning on this historical model, the project “elective affinities” is trying to go for a reinterpretation of this additional space and transform it to an “Add-On” that brings in not only a socio-economic layer but also goes for the processing of local resources by absorbing local know-how and assisting key sectors as for example research on and application of renewable energy sources.

What – in the historic example – was maybe an elitist concept for a mainly bourgeois living on a manor will still work in a reduced way:  this typology can be transferred to a social dwelling project and also find an answer to the given questions. Our new dwelling tries not only to inhabit the given area but also – in the sense of the Latin ‘colere’ – to cultivate, frequent, practice, tend, guard and respect it.

Team: Christina Kimmerle, Elisabeth Koller, Tobias Brown

‘Maison Phénix’ is the biggest promoter for prefabricated individual houses in France. We were supposed to design a ‘Maison Phénix New Age’, which keeps the structural system of the original Phénix house, but provokes a new way of life.

The proposed design is based on a standard house, which will be transformed in a quite simple, but radical way. Half of each room is pushed outside the house.

In this way a supplementary garden room is created, while inside the plan has become more open and spacious. Every room has now its own garden and a private access.

The project has been selected for further studies by the Phénix Company.

The task for this invited competition was to design a five star grandhotel in Bad Gastein including several holiday residencies, a casino, an underground parking space and a thermal spa. The total constructive surface was about 30000m².

Bad Gastein is well known for a long tradition as a luxury thermal spa resort, which was affected after the 2^nd world war by a strong recession. Since now it hasn‘t recovered yet, although a certain mass tourism has established. The topography of the village impresses by its steep slopes, where huge hotels were built. Bad Gastein has rather an urban flair than a village like atmosphere.

The proposed design conceives a high density situation, which is the result of the program required by the client. All parts of the hotel complex should be connected, so one of the central design aspects is a canyon like sidewalk connecting the different entities.

Team: Peter Zinganel, Christina Kimmerle, Elisabeth Koller, Andreas Roschitz, Barbara Heier, Paul Lechner