O
p e n S p a c e s K a i s e r s t e g C r a n e w
a y P ro m e n a d e
Public Plaza and Green Space
1st Prize 02/05
Client: Borough of Treptow-Köpenick
Ulrike Böhm, Cyrus Zahiri, Katja Benfer,
Irene Winterstein, Ulf Schrader, Tim Wildner,
Sebastian Exner, Dirc Gusewski
The former industrial area around the Reinbeckhallen is located between
the River Spree and Wilhelminenhofstrasse in Berlin’s district of
Oberschöneweide. The area is characterized by a mixture of residential
apartment buildings in the 'Gründerzeit' style as well as commercial
and industrial buildings of varying size. Despite this architectural diversity,
the structural context of the buildings impart a spatial coherence. The
buildings define a corridor space along Wilhelminenhofstrasse,
giving the area a spatial framework.
On the Spree side however, the urban structure is broken up by secondary
roads and craneway tracks, which join at right angles to the Wilhelminenhofstrasse. The entire area lends itself towards an arrangement of typical
and recurring open spaces: two-sided corridors, three sided squares, as
well as irregular, mostly triangular enclosures along the waterfront.
The river bank along the Spree is bordered by a long retaining wall. The
concrete was built in the 1960s to expand the industrial complex into
the range of the river. It modifies the river course. To the west, the
shore area gives way to an older group of trees. The retaining wall and
the large steel structure of the former craneway, make up the most characteristic
features of the area.
In 2004/05, the Department for Urban Development invited several architects
and landscape architects to conduct expert studies on the future use of
the Reinbeckhallen and for the design of the surrounding open space. In
the first stage, Kahlfeldt Architekten were awarded first prize for their
concept of merging the three existing industrial buildings into one structure.
The 'Schauhallen' will host a new museum and gallery complex
for contemporary art.
Two components of the building complex extend into the adjacent open space:
a large entrance gate incorporates the craneway and an elongated pier
juts out over the water, terminating with a tower in the Spree. All building
components are to be covered with metal shingles in different shades of
orange.
In early 2005, the second phase of the review process was conducted for
the the open space design. It covered not only the actual area around
the 'Schauhallen' but also the areas of the industrial craneway and the
open space along the Spree. The winning architecture concept of Kahlfeldt
Architekten was a necessary criteria for the open space design. Urban
planning objectives included connectig surrounding city areas with the
Spree, the new 'Kaisersteg' footbridge, and the creation of
an attractive public area at the waterfront.
The award-winning design concept of bbzl landscapes / urban design proposes
a sequence of five areas that derive their characteristics from their
immediate surroundings. The design features are:
- a new promenade along the craneway construction,
- a slightly elevated plinth-like border around the exhibition halls,
- a lower-lying town square,
- as well as a spacious sculpture park and a promenade along the Spree
embankment.
As individual areas they are staggered and graded with respect to one
another. They connect the Wilhelminenhofstrasse with the River Spree
as a spatial sequence.
The 'Kaisersteg' Bridge and a large part of the open space design
were completed at the end of 2007. Construction of the exhibition halls
and the southern part of the exhibition hall grounds, was expected to
commence mid-2009. The completion of the building is especially important
for the intended spatial effect.
Promenade
The craneway construction forms a corridor between Wilhelminenhofstrasse and the city square. Without intervening on the construction itself, a concrete path is inserted between its support beams to serve as a promenade. The light-toned cast-in-place concrete is treated with a simple brush stroke pattern on the surface and divided into slab sections. The crane itself rises from a graveled plane, which extends to a wall on the eastern border of the premesis and is planted with low-maintanece grasses and perennials.
The planting is characterized by different flower and fruit forms, leaf colours and different growth patterns - from soft and delicate to rigid and compact. The planting is spatially articulated by a strict, irregularly alternating scale and height.
Graced with elegant stature, five Amelanchier lamarckii will be planted at the entrance, surrounded by delicate grasses with slender panicles such as Luzula nivea and Stipa capillata and a low carpet of Sedum. In the direction of the city square, the planting gives way to more solid, high contrast forms. Towards the centre, an extensive swath of Stipa capillata offers suspense and presence with its dense, long waving panicles.
Accentuated Plinth
In reference to the facade of the 'Schauhallen', the surface areas of the plinth are covered with an irregular pattern of flamed granite pavers. The area is bordered with one long curb leading up to the square. Two seating walls comprised of a simple plinth and grooved capstone overcome height differences from the elevated square down to the shore area.
The town square is located between the 'Schauhallen' and a proposed hotel
development. The eastern edge of the square is marked by a "green
band," a common area composed of lawns, seating walls and trees.
The square area and the green band is accentuated by a row of trees and
two large bent light masts.
The actual square area is divided into four paved panels. Their position
is derived from the alignment of the dormer windows of the Reinbeckhallen.
In the area of the green band, strips of grass penetrate the paved panels
in different widths. Seating walls consisting of simple block foundations
and stone capstones are spread out along the strips.
In some places the stone capstone is replaced with a wooden slab, contoured
to accommodate the shape of the seated human figure. The organic form
and warmth of the wooden profile creates a distinct contrast to the orthogonal
geometry of the seating wall. The location and length of the seating walls
and the distribution of the wooden profiles alternates within the whole
arrangement.
Boardwalk
The boardwalk is part of the Spree walking trail. It connects the new
Kaisersteg Bridge, city square, Schauhallen plinth and sculpture garden.
The square and plinth areas are elevated slightly higher than the river
boardwalk. The asphalt and gravel boardwalk is deliberately left open
to guarantee an uninhibited view of the river. The spatious shore area
is accentuated with sunbathing decks and benches.
In order to not interrupt the spatial relationship to the water, the shore
area is treated as delicately as possible. The irregular edge of the 140-meter-long
retaining shoreline is repeated in the design of the railing. To maintain
a continuous shore line, the railing is mounted on the outer side of the
retaining wall. The edge of the waterfront is marked by a band of pavers
and a wide wooden handrail. The handrail and pavers emphasize the unique
quality of the shore area.
In some places the stone capstone is replaced with a wooden slab, contoured
to accommodate the shape of the seated human figure. The organic form
and warmth of the wooden profile creates a distinct contrast to the orthogonal
geometry of the seating wall. The location and length of the seating walls
and the distribution of the wooden profiles alternates within the whole
arrangement.
Garden
The
grassy sculpture garden is framed by the slightly higher-lying boardwalk
and pier and gradually descends into the Spree on the shore side. The
area pushes into shore zone to entice visitors on the Spree hiking trail
to venture into the areas and activities surrounding the 'Schauhallen'.
With its loose clumps of shade trees, the area also serves well as a lawn
for lying around and relaxing. The existing group of trees is supplemented
by new plantings.
Concept
The area in connection with the adjacent 'Schauhallen' buildung presents
a unique urban constellation, which is accentuated in the lighting concept.
The design is strongly associated with the visual language of the 'Schauhallen'
complex. Therefore the main spatial features and intersection points are
highlighted with spot lighting. This is achieved with bent light masts
on the square, boardwalk and waterfront sculpture park, each of which
is outfitted with wide floodlights. Atmospheric „light bridges“
between masts are achieved with the installation of additional light beams.
The craneway is set apart from the surrounding backdrop with lights that
are mounted on the construction to highlight its form. The yellow hue
is reminiscent of the orange glow of former industrial lighting complexes.
and Preparation
With the
exception of the shore benches, all design components were concieved specifically
for this location. For the form-finding and choice of materials, potential
uses such as leaning, lying or sitting comfortably were especially important.
Stone benches, seating walls and steps have been provided with grooved
profiles and undercuts to bring out light/shadow effects. The task of
profiling these elements simultaneously allowed for compensation of irregularities
and inaccuracies in the building process. Despite their classification
into different areas, all components display a distinct design relationship.
To complement the strong orange tones of the exhibition hall building,
all materials have been chosen in light gray. Paving and bench elements
consist of pale granite with different surface treatments. A small cobblestone
/ mosaic pavement of granite and greywacke (German sandstone) is used
for the square area. All steel components are powder coated with a light
gray, matte mica color. Angelim pedra was used for the wooden seating
surfaces and handrails.
For the development of all design components, specialized planers and
corporate partners were incorporated into the planning process in a timely
manner. Special recognition is given to all involved parties for their
willingness to participate in the early stages of planning. The quality
of detailing is also in thanks to the support and participation of municipal
authorities. In addition to advice for the maintenance and upkeep of the
premesis, the experience and expertise of these various departments and
stakeholders gave important impetus to the design process
Site
Size: 1.8 ha
Design and Construction Planning: 2005-07
Realisation: 2006-08
Building Phases: 2-6+8 (construction supervision)
Client: Borough of Treptow-Köpenick
Coordinator: STATTBAU GmbH
Construction: Jockwer und Partner Ingenieure, Berlin
Lighting Planers: DS - Lichtkonzept, Potsdam
Realisation with:
köpcons Planungsbuero GmbH
Strabag AG,
Michow & Söhne GmbH
Construction Costs: EUR 2 Mio Euro brutto
landscapes urban design
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