Creative Fast-track Approach for Dübendorf

The Investor Hochbord Immobilien is planning to construct five new residential buildings in Dübendorf. Three of them are to be high-rises. The company wants to move the project forward quickly. Because of the density of the buildings here, the Dübendorf authorities, on the other hand, care greatly about high-quality, well-thought-through outside spaces that ensure a lively neighbourhood. Since the design of the open space left too many questions unanswered, it was decided that ideas needed finding by engaging three landscape design offices in a charrette.

During a two-day workshop held at the site, solutions were developed in a manner highly concentrated in both time and content; these solutions are to be incorporated into the structure plan. The insight from this process: the charrette was an interesting experience and a highly intensive and creative confrontation with the location. In exceptional cases such as this it can produce good ideas for solutions, if the participants have the required experience. However, it cannot replace the in-depth involvement with a location and with the task that is part of a normal competition.