Development Moossee

The promenade is moved further south in order to guarantee unrestricted access to the water for future ground-nesting birds (lapwing) and other species living on the banks of the lake. The visitor is redirected to a less sensitive area and is still able to experience and observe the rich flora and fauna. The promenade indicates a clear division between visitor and nature reserve and helps to protect the habitat of the animals.

At the west end of the site the boardwalk leads to a platform in the lake. The architecture is a fishing platform, picnic place, and observatory tower in one. Built from simple wood beams, the architecture formally contrasts with the organic environment and offers users a functional and aesthetic platform. Several sitting boards for fishermen are installed closer to the water. Nature enthusiasts have the possibility to climb the roof via the stairs. The cube offers shelter from bad weather and direct sunlight.

Concepts Moossee

Concept Cube

The proposed ‚Cube’ consists of a simple gravel promenade that runs along the border of the nature reserve and is framed by wooden timber.

At the western part of the renaturalised zone, stairs lead to a constructed observation hill from which the reserve can be observed. The promenade, which was moved towards the south, guarantees unrestricted access to the water for future ground-nesting birds (lapwing) and other species living on the banks of the lake. The visitor is redirected to a less sensitive area and is still able to experience and observe the rich flora and fauna. The promenade indicates a clear division between visitor and nature reserve and helps to protect the habitat of the animals.

Concept Reed

‚Reed’ proposes a meandering boardwalk, which hovers 30-40 cm over the ground and leads one over newly constructed water pools of the renaturalised zone. In order to guarantee the protection of the ground-nesting birds, diverse branches create a wall along the promenade. Here, the visitor can climb the observation hill and gaze into the nature reserve.

Starting Position Moossee

We received a brief from the office of agriculture and nature Berne, Switzerland and Dr Stephan Brenneisen ZHAW, Wädenswil, Switzerland to create a proposal for the visitor infrastructure of the renaturalisation project ‘Moossee’. The area around the idyllic lake is used for agriculture. Lapwings are breeding (mostly unsuccessfully) on the nearby shopping center. These ground-breeding birds would feel much more at ease at the banks of the lake, given that there is unrestricted access to the water. The office took this as an opportunity to develop a project in which the land is renaturalised, and to create ideal conditions for the animals. Since the lake is frequently visited by fishermen and walkers, their needs had to be fulfilled as well. The aim was to create a harmonic setting where animals are well protected and visitors have the opportunity to observe nature and relax themselves.