Areal Rietwisen, Elsau , 2019

  • © Duplex Architekten

  • © Duplex Architekten

Topography and water are the most striking landscape parameters of the site, a dialogue between tranquillity and flow, including the flow of traffic. These characteristics influence our urban design for the Rietwiesen project in Elsau. In the heart of the meadow landscape is the quarter’s square with a large fountain and play area, which is embedded between the ground floors that attract the public, such as the community centre, the shop and the studios. The day nursery is located near the new community playground with a large climbing structure. The Wiesenplatz is situated in the immediate vicinity of the Riedstrasse as a communicative bridging place to the community of Elsau. Different public open spaces are designed to create places with different atmospheres, where the most diverse forms of living, working and dwelling are given a natural point of reference and location. The open spaces are closely linked to each other by loose spatial sequences, thus achieving an intensive mixing of the residents in their everyday activities. The different building types ensure a varied repertoire of forms of living for different ways of life. Varying degrees of privacy are offered. Contrary to the predominantly public outdoor spaces, which provide for activity in the quarter, the residential corridors of the houses, as semi-private living and circulation areas with adjoining additional uses, such as washroom, music room or craft room, serve the house community. The loggias are the private retreats of the flat-sharing communities.