Competition Success Hirtenweg Riehen

The replacement buildings on Hirtenweg in Riehen sit confidently in the old Zeilenbau quarter thanks to their architectural analogies and flowing meadow landscape. Native shrubs and perennials structure the outside space, giving it both height and spatial depth, while the wooded plants provide both privacy and shade. Despite the great density the judges’ report stated that this concept led to a ‘remarkable openness and airiness of the area’. The winning design by Harry Gugger Studio and Fontana also scored with its considerate approach to the existing trees. The established grassy banks and old trees will continue to shape the local character on the plot’s small plateau. The enriched, naturalistic meadow landscape provides a soft framing for the houses, simple paths and small gravelled spaces that feature gardens, somewhere to sit and structures for children to play. Thanks to its diverse structures the entire open space invites users to play and enjoy other activities. And with this usage the seamless transitions between planted and surfaced areas will change somewhat and redefine themselves.