Between Floodplains and Blast Furnaces

From the wild Birs floodplain to the floodplain runners that spread between the residential buildings like cultivated green branches, to the industrial dimensions and hard sites of the buildings right by the streets – the design of the outdoor space explores contrasts. The result is a flowing interaction between urban life and nature with shifting emphases in which both aspects remain present at all times.

Four neighbourhoods that differ in use and character are to give a long-term narrative to the Swissmetal complex: the mixed quarter ‘In den Wyden’, the ‘Metalli’ area with mixed use and a commercial emphasis, the greener residential quarter ‘In der Au’, and the ‘Am Ramstelbach’ residential quarter with a more village-like feel. The specific structure and atmosphere of the outdoor spaces, coupled with old and new architecture, will give every area its own identity and address.

There will be four public outside spaces that will hold the neighbourhoods together: the Birspark will be the area’s green backbone. A wide wetland strip, it will run from the revitalized banks of the Birs all the way to the first buildings; in the residential ‘In der Au’ quarter it will run all the way into the neighbourhood. In the more urban ‘Metalli’ quarter with its tree-lined streets and squares and its historic and new buildings, the Metallallee will be the key outside space to bring the contrasting elements together. Wydenplatz square will be the heart of the ‘In den Wyden’ quarter; it will have views of the riparian floodplains. Lastly, Birsplatz square will combine historicl buildings, tree species at home on the floodplain, a harder urban feel and the world of the riverbank. This is where the essence of the complex will be clearly felt.