 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Geesthacht
Urban Redevelopment of the Waterfront: Phase 1
The proposal
The derelict inner-city site for the development has a unique quality, which we intended to maintain: it is the only waterfront in the area that is openly accessible to the public. Therefore, the new quarter by the harbour is designed to predominantly provide public uses with some niches for private use. At this stage of the competition the distribution of uses remains conceptual and only differentiates between indoor and outdoor spaces with public, semi-public and private use according to a fixed timetable, which guarantees 24-hour activity on the site. As existing events in Geesthacht have the potential to become large-scale attractions unique to the city, we propose that the new public outdoor and indoor spaces accommodate a number of organised events and spontaneous activities to happen.
We propose the creation of 'The Fugue', a new cultural and leisure core for the city of Geesthacht with the potential to also attract visitors from afar. To create a unique identity for this new quarter, our proposal strengthens the existing social and physical conditions. In an area of natural beauty, our interest in landscape leads to a proposal, where the design of landscape is of equal importance to that of buildings.
At the competition stage, the proposal remained formally abstract, involving the collection of on-site desires and narratives, stressing the contact to water and nature and public accessibility at day and night.
The course of the river Elbe has changed over time. Historically being a flood plane with regular high waters, the position of the planning area at the river edge is directly connected to its specific nature. Even though the high waters have decreased in number, our proposal continues the idea of historical and natural change. Using a method of 'landshift' the planning area is gradually transformed into a large public space, 'The Fugue', to increase the size of the narrow strip at the harbour edge and accommodate more public space in proximity to the city centre. At the same time, the half island is gradually reduced to a narrow strip, bringing the new quarter and the city closer to the Elbe. We suggest the construction to happen in three phases. This way, time is given to nature and people to adapt to the new surrounding. The project is tested against speculation and can still be changed according to new needs of the users.
The urban strategy of the Europan 5 Competition was developed into an architectural construct: the combination of new proposed buildings and landscape regeneration creates a new identity for Geesthacht, which acknowledges and develops the existing potential of both, the site and the inner-city.
A new proposed urban axis, running north-south, activates the dynamics of the city and encourages the development towards the water and, further, along the water. To achieve this, all physical designs and the use of the buildings are determined by two existing powerful factors: the strength of the existing institutions and the strength of the water. The programmes for all indoor and outdoor spaces address four major issues, which define the new territory: The existing institutions are used together with the transformation and regeneration of the landscape to intensify the awareness for the Environment. The new spaces, e.g. the Hachade Theatre, become part of an infrastructure of enclosed and open event spaces, which all work with and cater for existing and newly organised Events. Throughout the history the identity of the city has been shaped by its unique topography and location at the river Elbe. The transformation of the site attempts to create a strong identity through references to the existing Landscape and History of the place. The riverside location naturally suggests the creation of a Marina, which gives the site the fourth identity as a place of leisure.
The concept
of phasing was a key element of our proposal, which now became decisive
for a financially feasible construction of the project.
The construction
The city of Geesthacht financially initiated the construction of this project, to encourage private investors to follow, developing the masterplan with a marina, auditorium, restaurant/café and other public oriented buildings. This first construction phase has been financially supported with a regional regeneration programme. The new infrastructure for Construction Phase 1 is a visual and physical axis, called a 'Window to the Elbe', which consists of a series of public spaces. This axis leads from the city centre to the harbour edge, over a bridge onto the half island, and from there to a new ferry terminal at the river Elbe. It incorporates a series of public outdoor spaces with two major event spaces: the outdoor theatre and the 10,000 sqm large multifunctional square. Throughout the design process there has been a two-way communication between the community and the architects to identify appropriate solutions. Under the logo of 'Geesthacht an die Elbe!' (Geesthacht towards the Elbe!) an information brochure was distributed to every household and informed the citizens about the planned changes at the harbour area. The uses for the multifunctional square were defined in process of direct contact between architects and citizens: The existing events (circus, funfair, local business-fair, open-air concerts, etc.) have been relocated to the river Elbe and complemented by new events, such as ice-skating, open-air theatre and cinema. The community was involved into the design process to such an extent, that the local community group took over the 'ownership' of the project, explaining 'their project' to the neighbours.
The new area extends the existing fabric of hard landscape from the city centre to the soft landscape at the river Elbe. Arriving on the half island, the surface of the multifunctional square mediates between urban space and green space. It is framed by two rows of newly planted mature ashes - which accentuate the 'Window to the Elbe' - and numerous concrete blocks, which function as bollards and will be used as canvases for changing texts. These are being collected from the local community to reflect the identity of the place. On the north side of the harbour an amphitheatre has been erected, that invites to rest and enjoy the view of the river. At the same time, this is equipped with all technical needs to be used as an open-air theatre. Located on the south side of the harbour, the ‘Elevated Platform’ can be used as a stage for large-scale events together with the 10,000 sqm large multifunctional square. A new bridge connects the north harbour directly to the half island, which formerly was only accessible via a detour. This creates the - so much desired - direct connection from the city centre to the Elbe, ending at the new ferry terminal with boats leaving to and arriving from Hamburg and other villages along the river Elbe. The new seating blocks, with soft, orange inserts, offer comfortable resting places and are a great attraction for children. The choice of material and colour creates a city flair, which at the same time adapts to the natural surroundings and puts nature to the fare front: The closeness to the water and the harbour nearby have been influential for the design. References to the water have been integrated in form of poetic text and historical flood marks on the walls. Numbers, indicating the actual height above sea level, have been integrated into the pavement. A willow tree, the historic tree of Geesthacht and natural inhabitant of the floodplanes, has been planted at the foot of the new bridge. The large corten steel gates, which open up to frame the stage for performances, also function as a level indicator for recent flood heights. At night time, the harbour area lives on and allows 24 hour activities under a distinctive, orange glowing light.