T H E U R B A N S TA G E
Catriona Macdonald
Lambert Lempereur
Carlota Marques de Amorim
Tom Smith
A New Urban Landscape at Gothenburg Opera
Site Photographs
Urban ‘Island’ Boundary
Nolli Plan
Transport Infrastructure
Street Axis
Between the Opera (Christina Nilssons gata), Sankt Eriksgatan and Casino (Packhusplatsen) is an area that is physically and functionally segregated and fragmented from the rest of the adjacent city centre due to poor infrastructure and dispersed islands of regeneration.
Key Connection Zone
Göteborg has long been shaped by the development of its harbour. As Scandinavia’s largest harbour, the city has changed from being a significant port and industrial city, to one of industry in decline and one of the most threatened / exposed cities for sea level rise and flooding in Sweden.
Hive of Activity
In its current condition the site illustrates: a barrier to the riverfront; weak identity; inefficient use of space / lack of purpose; undefined access routes; anti-climax; and a topographical separation from adjacent urban fabric.
Key Activity Zone Physical Connection Point Visual Connection
“Waterfronts of the Nordic are emblematic of the vitality and effectiveness of new cultural energies.” (The Building Art: The Social Art; Peter MacKeith; 2012)
Identifying key zones of activity within the island encourages the designer to concentrate within specific areas.
A strong point of a city is its diversity, which facilitates meetings between people across interests, ages, social status and religious affiliation. We see the potential of the site as a place for: varying circadian uses; mixed seasonal activity; city markers; a strong culmination point of Västra Hamngatan; emphasising the city’s relationship to the waterfront; and turning normally disadvantageous flooding risk into opportunity.
Waterside Historical Development
Climatic Conditions
Key Activation Zones
Model Development
Summer
Summer To Winter Transition Period
Winter
Winter To Summer Transition Period
Water evokes a two-sidedness: on the one hand is its destructive power, in the form of floods and rainstorms; on the other, its life-bringing springs. Man’s feelings towards water can also be contrasting. The three basic attitudes towards water are: the hydrophilic, the hydrophobic and the hydro-opportunistic. HYDRO PHILE hy·dro·phil·ic adj Having an affinity to water. The body reacts positively when surrounded by water. Only when resting does it seek the dry. (Water Pond / Pool / Reservoirs) HYDRO PHOBE hy·dro·phob·ic adj Lacking an affinity to water- water inducing fear or anxiety in a person: The melancholic condition of the dry body, afflicted by strong reservations about water that often are aggravated into aversion. (The Urban Balcony / seating spaces / routes / ice skating / Reservoirs )
HYDRO OPPORTUNIST hy·dro·op·por·tun·ist adj One who prefers a life on land, with occasional excursions into the wet as necessary or if encouraged or coaxed. (Water Sports) Afternoon
Morning
BIG Architects: Urban Furniture
SLA Architects: Trondheim
Evening
Helen And Hard: Stravanger 01
BIG Architects: Chicago Pier
All Day
JDS Architects: Faaborg Waterfront
JDS Architects: NordHavnen
JDS Architects: NordHavnen
BIG Architects: Copenhagen
Programe Diagram
Skeleton Model
Skeleton and Volumnes
Creating A New Topography
Playing with Heights and Shapes
Adding And Subtracting
Final Model
Shape
Scenario 01
Scenario 02 Flea Market
Urban Balcony Development
Forming the Water Pond
Where the neighbourhood meets the park- an opportunity for local residents to create life in the new space. Carrying on the tradition in the area for markets, such as the larger, seasonal markets at the old Kronhuset and the smaller selling spaces in neighbourhood sales, the Flea Market is a less permanent element within the park, allowing the local residents to dictate when the space is used.
Play Ground A green space as a transition between the slope and an axis. A free space that can be used as a grassy lawn in the summer. An obstacle free, safe area at the bottom of the sledging run.
Slope The grassy, SW facing slope provides a different recreational space, another way to observe. This element transforms during the year from summer green space to winter sledging slope. Water mirror in summer Urban Balcony The Urban Balcony, with reference to the Opera it neighbours, provides, on a macro scale, the viewing platform for the all the activities in the park below. Here, urban life continues with cafes for fika and restaurants for afterwork. A place to sit for parents watching their children as they play below. Additionally, there is a raised public platform, where the mast collection currently on the site will be located, referencing the maritime history and connection of the site. This public platform will be critical when the area floods.
Ampitheatre / Reservoir 01 The flood risk of the site has been a key instigator of programme during the concept stage. The ampitheatre provides a space to gather, debate or perform encouraging human interaction within the masterplan. However, these elements also act as flood reservoirs, collecting and holding water as needed.
Water Pond / Ice Skating Rink Important meeting place within the Urban Park at the convergence of the two main axis. Hard landscaped to provide even surface for water. In summer, the Water Pond is a place for children to play in, riverside birdlife to cool down in and a place to mirror the changing Scandinavian weather. Wintertime brings a new focus- ice skating- with the pond freezing, the epicentre of seasonal activity.
Ice Rink in Winter Activity Pier Development
Events Space / Reservoir 02 Here, function has been doubled: a stage/ audience seating has been created to hold events such as book readings or impromptu workshops during the many festivals the city hosts.
Outdoor Pool A safe, controlled environment for city dwellers to swim. The pool additionally acts as another flood point for water.
Water-sports Pier Water activities have long been a tradition within the city. The pier gives visitors the oppertunity to experience the city from the Goeta River.
Beach Southerly facing axis - to optimise both view down the river and sunlight. The beach has cultural significance within the master-plan, as traditionally the people of Gothenburg travel to the archipelago to sun bathe during the summer months. Here, an alternative is provided on the city-dwellers’ doorstep. Additionally the axis is manipulated to create a diving platform. Summer at the Beach
Flooding Adaption Stage 1 Landscape Plan 1:500
Flooding Adaption Stage 2 Landscape Plan 1:1000
Flooding Adaption Stage 3 Landscape Plan 1:1000