Green Roof Congress Paper

In case you can't make it to the congress we would like to share our paper: Art on Green Roofs (pdf/615kb).

Green Roof Congress Talk

We're very happy to announce that we're being invited to talk at the 2010 World Green Roof Congress. Our talk will be part of the morning programm on the second day in the 'International Green Roof Delivery' stream. This is on the 16. September 2010 - mark your calendars.

Development Galgenen

Art in public space Galgenen

For a Swiss bank we created an art in public space concept in Galgenen (a small town close to the lake of Zurich). This project was based on the principles of green roofs although located at ground level. The inner courtyard which is open to the sky is being redefined as a 'Hortus conclusus' but the classical elements of the paradise garden were replaced by contemporary ones. Instead of the garden there is a forrest growing and the fountain is missing - only the pool steps refer to water. Fixed to the tree trunks, they challenge the meaning of the forrest and allow new interpretations of space. The ladders end in raised hides and suggest observation (of nature), sense and communication.

Abstract Green Roof Congress

To contribute to the Green Roof Congress we handed in an abstract for a talk about Art on Green Roofs (pdf/44kb).

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.

World Green Roof Congress 2010

After the success of 2008 this September the World Green Roof Congress will take place in London again.

Concept Development 'Echo' Erlenmatt

The ‚echo waves’ spread over the roof and refer to the relationship between urban space, cultural past and natural environment.

Concepts Erlenmatt Basle

Concept Echo

The proposal ‘Echo’ visualizes the interaction between natural environment and urban space. From the nature reserve, circular ‘nature-waves’ spread over the roof of the Erlenmatt until they are being rejected by the city centre.

The dialogue between nature and urban space – which is the central aspect of the city planning – continues on the roof. Nature and City are not contradictions, but communicating entities that inform and overlap in manifold ways.

The echo waves are designed using diverse materials. Additionally, specific lines are constructed with timber and run along the contours of the waves.

Concept Chora

The unique quality of Erlenmatt is the fusion of live/work/nature. The inner core of the site lies like a ‚hortus conclusus’ between the buildings, and offers the habitants and visitors a space for relaxation whilst providing flora and fauna a habitat.

The proposal ‘Chora’ allows the natural centre to grow physically and graphically so that the natural habitat continues on the roof. The graphic design corresponds to the shapes of the park and allows the lines to grow exuberantly over the structure of the site. A complex pattern forms. Each plot is designed with individual substrates and plants.

Chora (large space/Place) describes the natural landscape outside the city. In German, the ending ‘–chorie’ is also used to describe proliferation mechanisms.

Concept Strata

The starting point of this proposal is the city as a complex construct of built areas, conversion, development and change. While the city constantly renews itself, layer by layer, a complex structure of physical space and collective memory grows.

Strata aims to reflect the former use of the zone as a freight terminal in a dynamic and stylized form. The different zones on the roof are designed with individual substrates.

In archaeology the term ‘Strata’ (pl. of Stratum) describes a horizontal cultural layer. In ecology the term describes a specific habitat layer (stratification), which is defined by singular plantation and height of growth.

Starting Position Erlenmatt Basle

Erlenmatt quarter in Basle is located between the urban and dense city centre and the green belt north of the derelict freight terminal.