Mention

This project follows clearly outlined theoretical guidelines formulated by the authors. Like a musical composition, they orchestrate the functions based on a few "strings", keeping the rest of the site as a green area and covering up sections of the heavy traffic.

The Team
Student: Philipp Luy
Professor: Prof. Bernd Rudolf
School: Bauhaus Universität Weimar (Germany)
Video

The Idea
The conceptual idea here is to anchor the functional requirements along “strings” spanning the site. Six assumptions underpin the approach of the authors: keeping things simple and easy to understand, maximizing green space by vertical stacking, maximizing public use, leaving the contaminated area unstructured and natural, respecting history, and restoring the river Wien.

The Project
The result is an expansive green area with vertical structures in an urban setting. The characteristic element of the project is a large artificial slab that covers up the Gaudenzdorfergürtel. The fast food restaurant and gas station are located underneath. Also, it extends strong green “arms” into the neighboring quarters, anchoring the site to the whole area and simultaneously creating new recreation areas.

The Jury Assessment
This is an excellent project that unfortunately loses its edge due to the introduction of the gigantic slab that covers parts of the traffic, in striking contradiction to the authors’ stated principles. Apart from its costs, the design may create insecure spaces underneath. By the same token, this project deserves praise for its theoretical clarity and its practical approach to Access for All.