Tag: Neugestaltung

The Kammgarn area in the south

As part of a comprehensive vision for the city of Schaffhausen, the Kammgarnareal is to be further developed with new access points and better connections to the urban fabric. In addition to the existing access points from Baumgartenstrasse, Rheinuferstrasse and Rheinstrasse, a new passageway will be created along Klosterstrasse to improve accessibility. This will integrate the site even more closely into the urban infrastructure and enable new utilisation options.

The Kammgarn area will become part of a “string of pearls” of meeting places along the banks of the Rhine, which will play an important role in the further upgrading of this area. With the start of construction in September, the approximately two-year construction phase will begin, with which Schaffhausen will gain a modern, attractive district that will significantly improve the urban quality of life as a meeting place and cultural centre.

Upgrading the areas and increasing the quality of stay
The areas are also to be upgraded as part of the planned redesign. The creation of spacious green areas, seating and a water feature in the inner courtyard of the former worsted spinning mill will increase the quality of stay. These measures aim to transform the Kammgarnhof into an attractive place to meet and relax, which can be used for events and everyday activities.

New uses and modern infrastructure
A central element of the redesign is the construction of a single-storey underground car park with around 90 parking spaces, which is to be built under the Kammgarnhof. This will make the inner courtyard car-free and provide more space for events and recreation. A pergola is planned in front of the west wing, while a large terrace will be created in front of the north wing.

The historic west wing of the Kammgarn site will be prepared for new uses as part of the refurbishment. The ground floor, along a new passageway to the inner courtyard, will house the library and the toy library. The glazed façades will give passers-by an attractive insight into the world of books and games.

Half of the first floor will be used by the library, while the remaining space will be rented out in small to medium-sized units. The Schaffhausen University of Teacher Education will move into the upper floors, while the remaining space will be available for flexible use by other tenants.

This comprehensive remodelling of the Kammgarn site strengthens the connection to the old town and the Rhine and gives the area a new significance in the urban fabric. The planned measures will contribute to long-term urban development and create a modern, vibrant neighbourhood that will significantly improve the quality of life in Schaffhausen.

November 2024
Rhine bank development as a project for the future

The city council is pursuing the goal of freeing the banks of the Rhine from motorised traffic and transforming it into a lively centre for leisure, living and business. This redevelopment offers Schaffhausen a unique opportunity to sustainably improve the quality of life in the city and promote tourism at the same time. The focus is on the expansion of green and open spaces as well as new housing and jobs.

The development strategy includes concrete steps to realise this vision, building on the results of an urban planning study and public consultations.

Step-by-step implementation in sub-projects
The implementation will be realised in several sub-projects over a period of twelve years until 2036. The sub-projects include the new connecting road, the development of the Gaswerk site and the upgrading of the Rhine embankment promenade. This division allows for gradual realisation and creates planning security for all parties involved. Interim utilisation is planned for the Gaswerk site until construction begins.

High added value with manageable investment
The project requires public sector investment totalling around CHF 35 million, of which the city will bear around CHF 22 million. The remaining costs will be co-financed by the federal government and the canton. Private investment in residential and commercial space significantly increases the economic benefits of the project and promotes urban development.

Fundamental decision and framework conditions
In order to implement the project efficiently, a fundamental vote is proposed. At the same time, all operational decisions will be delegated to the City Council in order to minimise the implementation risk and increase planning certainty.

The City Council has defined clear framework conditions, including an amicable solution for the water sports clubs, the promotion of biodiversity and the urban climate and the creation of a balanced mix of charitable and non-charitable housing on the Gaswerk site. In addition, potential studies are being carried out to clarify the economic feasibility of catering and commercial uses.

With the redesign of the banks of the Rhine, Schaffhausen is opening a new chapter in its urban development – towards a more sustainable, liveable and economically stronger future.

September 2024
What will be built in the university area over the next few years

The ambitious project envisages the construction of new buildings for medical care, education and research as well as an overall upgrading of the university area. The redevelopment includes the former underground drinking water reservoir on Rämistrasse at the heart of the area, which will be converted into a café with indoor and outdoor seating. This project, overseen by SQUADRAT Architekten, integrates parts of the historic water halls and creates an inviting public space.

Another highlight is the redesign of Rämi and Gloriastrasse, which will offer more space for pedestrians in future and reduce noise levels through traffic calming measures. The aim of redesigning these axes is to improve mobility and at the same time increase the quality of life.

The FORUM UZH, a new university building opposite the main UZH building, will house teaching and research on nine floors and will also include a canteen and shops. The building is due to be completed by the end of 2029 and will provide a modern workplace for around 6,000 students and staff.

Preliminary work has already begun on the construction of the University Hospital’s new MITTE campus. This renewal of the medical infrastructure will revolutionise patient care and set the course for the medicine of the future.

These and other projects in the HGZZ underline Zurich’s commitment to education, research and healthcare. They not only contribute to urban development, but also promote scientific excellence and strengthen Zurich’s position as a leading centre for innovation and knowledge.

May 2024
Steinerberg in transition: from historic parsonage to visionary belvedere

After intensive research and detailed consideration of the historical, architectural and economic aspects, the cantonal government decided not to include the “Pfrundhaus” in the cantonal inventory of protected buildings. Instead, a successor building, the “Belvedere”, which is characterised by its sustainable construction and its integration into the existing townscape, was chosen. This decision takes into account the historical significance of the site next to the church and vicarage and aims for a harmonious integration into the sensitive surroundings of the village centre.

The “Belvedere” project was chosen as the winner of a carefully conducted study commission process. The design is characterised by its economic and ecological advantages and makes a significant contribution to preserving the characteristic appearance of the village and landscape. “Belvedere” picks up on the essential features of the local building culture and at the same time fulfils the high design and monument preservation requirements.

This decision paves the way for the realisation of the ambitious project to build contemporary retirement flats in the centre of Steinerberg. The redesign is intended to create added value for the entire municipality and act as a catalyst for quality-conscious further development of the townscape. This approach underlines the endeavour to replace historically valuable structures with innovative concepts that both strengthen the sense of community and take into account the needs of the older generation.

With the “Belvedere” project, Steinerberg is taking on a pioneering role in the careful redesign of its historic centre. The decision to replace an important building with a future-oriented new building reflects the commitment of the municipality and the canton to preserve the village character while offering modern living solutions for older citizens.

February 2024
The “Louelipark” project as a guiding star in Heimberg

Nach der Stilllegung des Rigips-Areals in Heimberg öffnet sich eine seltene Gelegenheit zur Neugestaltung. Das Projekt «Louelipark» nimmt diese Chance wahr und zielt auf ein ausgewogenes Quartier, das Wohn-, Gewerbe- und Freiräume intelligent kombiniert, wodurch Heimberg an Attraktivität und Mehrwert gewinnt.

Hinter dem ambitionierten Vorhaben stehen die Berner Pensionskasse und die Frutiger AG. Ihre Vision? Die Transformation des ehemaligen Industrieareals in bis zu 300 Wohneinheiten, ergänzt durch Gewerbeflächen, die insgesamt ca. 4.000 Quadratmeter umfassen und Platz für etwa 100 Arbeitsstellen bieten. Obwohl der Schwerpunkt nicht auf Handelsbetrieben liegt, werden Handwerksunternehmen, Büros und produzierende Gewerbebetriebe in den Räumlichkeiten eine neue Heimat finden.

Die strategische Lage des Areals, nur einen Steinwurf vom Heimberger Bahnhof entfernt und direkt an der Stockhornstrasse gelegen, stellt sowohl für Anwohner als auch für Geschäftstreibende eine unschlagbare Lage dar. Dank seinen grosszügigen Aussenräumen und den unterschiedlichen Nutzungsmöglichkeiten weist das Quartier Zentrumsqualität auf und stellt damit einen Mehrwert für die Nachbarschaft und die ganze Gemeinde dar. Das Herzstück bildet der grosse Quartierpark, der zwischen dem Gewerbebau und den Wohnbauten liegt. Entlang des Loueligrabens bietet er Erholungsraum, Spielflächen und Plätze zum Verweilen. Das durchlässige und grüne Quartier bietet seinen Bewohnenden höchste Lebensqualität und ein naturnaher Lebensraum für Tiere. Im Betrieb nutzt der Louelipark erneuerbare Ressourcen, Photovoltaikanlagen produzieren vor Ort Strom und die Wärme wird aus dem Grundwasser gewonnen.

Weiter hervorzuheben ist der partizipative Ansatz: In der Phase der öffentlichen Mitwirkung konnten diverse Stakeholder ihre Meinungen und Anregungen in den Planungsprozess miteinbringen.

Die kantonale Vorpüfung ist der kommende Planungsschritt. Voraussichtlich im Sommer 2024 wird das Projekt öffentlich aufgelegt. Die anschliessende Abstimmung über die Überbauungsordnung ist ca. im Frühjahr 2025 vorgesehen. Der «Louelipark» markiert einen Meilenstein in Heimbergs Entwicklung, wobei eine hohe Lebensqualität und nachhaltige Werte im Mittelpunkt stehen.

Insgesamt verdeutlicht das Projekt einen fortschrittlichen Ansatz in der Gemeindeentwicklung von Heimberg, indem es Wohn-, Gewerbe- und Freiflächen ideal miteinander verknüpft und so zur Steigerung der allgemeinen Lebensqualität beiträgt.

December 2023
Redesign in the heart of Thun

Bälliz, located on the south-western edge of Thun’s old town, is home to four properties owned by the Frutiger Pensionskasse. Despite their poor condition, these historic buildings are worth preserving and some are still rented out. The special significance of the Bälliz area is reflected in its inclusion in the ISOS Federal Inventory, which characterises it as a site of national importance. As a result, its characteristic structure must be preserved as far as possible.

Previous challenges
A feasibility study carried out in 2015 was rejected by various federal commissions. A new five-storey building was particularly controversial. In response, a workshop was organised to define new guidelines for the development of the area and prepare a project competition.

A winning concept emerges
Several designs were submitted as part of a 2022 study commission. The team from Baumann Lukas Architektur impressed the judging panel with a design that ideally combined urban and atmospheric aspects. This design honours the historical structure of the region and shows respect for the typical belt-shaped parcelling. It integrates the main houses and outbuildings in a way that reflects the significance of the site. The ground floor will continue to offer areas accessible to the public, while the upper floors will mainly contain flats.

Diversity versus monotony
The design by Baumann Lukas Architektur stands out for its diversity. The design makes reference to the characteristic structures of the Middle Ages and provides for innovative developments, such as the public “Gässlihof”, which retains its authenticity by preserving a historic building. In contrast, other submitted designs were not as differentiated in their proposals and were not able to convince the judging panel to the same extent.

December 2023
EPFL develops concept for city-river balance on the Rhône

The redevelopment of brownfield sites along the Rhône should balance the needs and constraints of a city and its river. Based on this guideline, a group of architects from the Laboratory for Architecture and Sustainable Technologies at the EPFL has developed a corresponding handbook for those with political responsibility.

According to a press release, the group selected two locations in Switzerland, Sion VS and Geneva, and two in France, Givors and Avignon, for their study. For each district, they developed three customised and architecturally different visions. In total, the team identified more than 1400 neighbourhoods in transition along the Rhône. It sees enormous potential in this for the development of derelict areas that were abandoned by companies, for example, when they abandoned the waterways.

The study did not look at urban areas as a whole, as is usually the case. “Our approach is different because we tackle urban development and planning issues on a smaller scale and focus on individual river neighbourhoods,” lab and study leader Emmanuel Rey is quoted as saying. “Our tool provides a more detailed, entirely local picture of what the river can do and how it interacts with the city,” Rey says. “In that sense, it’s an argument against traditional, generic planning.”

This new assessment method with its 18 indicators was applied as an example to one of the case studies, the La Jonction neighbourhood in Geneva. For example, the indicator for the energy transition shows whether a particular vision is in line with the canton’s overall strategy. At the city level, it can be used to evaluate plans for shuttles, pedestrian bridges or other aspects of river transport. And at the neighbourhood level, for example, it provides information on whether river water could be used to heat or cool buildings.

February 2023
The winning project for the Reussbühl West district has been chosen

Office of Living Things and Büro Dudler for space and traffic planning.

The 27’000 square meters

The assessment committee for the study contract for the redesign of the CKW site in Reussbühl, which is now used for commercial and industrial purposes, unanimously decided in favor of the “Habitat – Quartier im Hain” project. It was developed by the Zurich architects Salewski Nater Kretz in collaboration with the Office of Living Things and the Dudler office for space and traffic planning.

According to a CKW press release , the 27,000 square meter area is to be “transformed into an attractive, lively and distinctive city quarter”. The energy service provider will give up its location there “in a few years”. In the call for tenders, requirements were made with regard to heat generation and rainwater management. In addition, at least half of the CKW shed hall, a former silk mill, was to be retained. Residential buildings will primarily be built on the remaining area.

The winning project “convinces in the reinterpretation and further development of the historical landscape”, which was once characterized by floodplains and water-using industry. The design based on the so-called sponge city principle “cleverly” incorporates these historical references. This project will be further developed in the coming months and will then form the basis for the Reussbühl West development plan. The designs of all planning teams are on display at CKW in Rathausen from June 21st to July 4th.

June 2022