architecture . landscape . urbanism
Hamlet´s Home

international ideas competition Europan 9, Juni 2007, Kapfenberg, Ă–sterreich

Focussing the mountain range View lines will be drawn between the panorama and the site. The endpoint of the view lines will be fixed on the observable pinnacles oft he sourrounding mountains. Three types of alps can be viewed: low landmark mountains in the foreground of the valley, medium-rise mountain chains in the middle distance and tall paramount peaks in the setting of the Mürztal. The vistas will be transformed into a layer of nets- forming sight corridors and subdividing the housing plots. The urban development relates to the characteristic landscape and emotes the natural scenery. Defining seven „Lovely Spots“
Walking along the panorama path up to the Diemlachkogel, seven points of „dulcet vistas“ can be found. They will be transformed to impressive panorama terraces. Existing topographical „hot spots“, like the „Mitterkopperl“ and the „Schüttkegel“, will be integrated in the string of pearl focussing the best panorama of the area.
Educing the Rhomb Grid
The seven vistas, Mountain chains and in particular the two landmark mountains (DĂĽrrnberg and Emberg) with their closely impression on the site generate with their corresponding views the grid of the masterplan. Filtered and extracted visual lines configure the rhomb grid. The tree populated housing fields are situated between the grid layer. The green passages are remaining as open, grassy stripes.
Green Axes and enforced natural ventilation
The topographical basin of the MĂĽrztal and the shielded area of the insulated site in reverse side of the mountain Diemlachkogel will necessitate an intensive air convection in form of green air lanes. In particular , winterdays are often extremly calm. The green axes will stimulate the crosswise aeration, the air convection downwards the hill will be warranted. Cool, fresh air from the mountain woods can still circulate in the evening down towards the river MĂĽrz. At noontime, wenn the slope is heating-up, warm air can flow uphill towards the forest. The cross-linked concept of open spaces will avoid congestions in wide-ranging aeration.
A+B+C: Structure and Density - 3 Types of Housing Zones The curved planning site will be analyzed by the formation of its elevation an then sperated in gradient zones. With the analyse of the level curves in interaction with the building lots- evoked from the grid- three zones are generated: a smooth, medium and a forceful gradient zone. The three zones (A,B,C) are cropped, according to the topography, with three housing types (1,2,3). The contour of the building line is deduced from the swinging formation of the hillside, the groups of houses accent the slope in his existing form. Public space and private green Public spaces are situated in the green aisles, they connect the single housing lots and are multifunctional usable. Private places inside the lots are, in contrast, bitsy and of different forms. Each flat will sustain a privat lot outdoors- like roof terraces, gazebos or at-grade decks. The panorama vistas towards the mountain range are the parameter for the location of the private green.
Jury Floris Alkemade (OMA, Rotterdam) Manuel Gausa (ACTAR, Barcelona) Karoline Streeruwitz (sammerstreeruwitz, Europan 7 winner, Wien) Max Rieder (MAXRIEDER ARCHITEKTUR, Wien / Salzburg) Hansjörg Luser (urbanist, urban developer, HoG architektur) Michael Pech (director of housing agency ÖSW, Wien) Sabine Kraft (architectural critic, archplus) Joost Meuwissen (architect, professor for urban design, Amsterdam/Graz/Wien) Jaroslav Šafer (SHA, Safer+Hajek Architects, Prague) Janez Koželj (architect, professor / University of Ljubljana) Petr F.Bilek (Bilek Associated sro, Prague) Marko Studen (SCAPELAB, Ljubljana)