Uptownbasel has been opened – Fontana makes the industrial area 4.0 greener

From master plan to implementation, we have been allowed to develop the “Uptown” site in Arlesheim together with architect Hansjörg Fankhauser since 2019. The special thing about it is the attitude to open space which is unusual for an industrial area – and which was made possible probably thanks to the early involvement of landscape architecture.

Historic and new buildings are moving closer together, creating space for the expansion of the Birs riverbank, for parks, for various landscaped access axes and green roofs – open spaces that will add entirely new qualities to the industrial area.

In February 2022, the “Quartierplan” was approved by the voters, now the site has been officially opened. The first new building, “The Pioneer”, stands like an island in the middle of the large construction site. The roof garden and the temporary garden on the ground level provide retreat and shade for the first users and for nature.

We are looking forward to the planning and realisation of the next green components for the site.

Links:
The official Website of uptownbasel: uptownbasel.ch.
15.9.22: The first building and its rooftop garden are accessible to the public at Industrienacht Regio Basel: industrienacht.com.
More information on the rooftop garden project: fontana-la.ch/projects