europa a ee
3
index
Index
4 66 10 11
1212 13 13 13
1415 16 17
1820 22 32 34 36
Abstract The Area Location Story of the project Grid The Masterplan Street system Blocks Green spaces Public spaces Medium Scale Analysis Functions Flows Plots and blocks Inside Europaallee Building shape Buildings Conclusions Biblio- Sito-graphy Image sources
4
abstract
Abstract The masterplan of Europaallee is situated in Zurich in the south-west part of the main railway station. The term “allee” in German means “boulevard” as the typical French ones, with trees, but this case the idea is a bit different because it’s not for cars but only for bicycles and pedestrians. This project is very important because of its significant intention: to enrich a crucial and central area, which is
owned
by
SBB
(Schwetzerische
Bundesbahnen,
manager of Swiss railways) close to the central Railway
for this area: there is in fact the presence of other projects
Station of Zurich, creating a new neighborhood inside
starting from the ‘70s. The first project was called “HB-
the consolidated city with the logic of “functional mix”
Südwest” and then it was changed with “Eurogate” and
among residential areas, open spaces, public spaces,
now it’s called “Europaallee” that is the name of the new
work spaces and commercial areas: through this functions
boulevard which is faced by the new buildings of the
melting pot the main idea is to enhance the identity of the
masterplan.
city of Zurich and the space itself.
In this area SBB, the owner, decided to make a specific
The project is studied in order to give a particular attention
tool for this space, and the proposal of Kees Christiansee
to some important features:
(member and partner of KCAM Architects&Planner in
1.
Zurich) was chosen and developed. The area is very big
High quality in social, economical and ecological
according to other Swiss’ projects; it count a large amount
terms; Design and the composition of the spaces and of
of buildings – almost 10 – and some of them are projected
the buildings with a clear identification of space in terms
and designed by famous architects: this situation of
of identity and functions;
“differentiation” can be considered one of the more
3.
relevant and difficult challenges for masterplan’s success.
2.
Interaction with the surrounding and the other
parts of the city both in terms of connections-infrastructures (there are lots of public transports passing through this area) and functions. This project, that started in 2004, was not the first presented
abstract
night view reconstruction of Europaallee and surroundings
5
6
the area
Planners Planning years Realization years Country Promoter Planning tool
KCAPArchitects&Planners 2003-2004 2009 -present Zurich Sbb Zurich, Municipality of Zurich Masterplan
Total surface
100.000 sqm
Total gross floor area
350.000 sqm - housing
almost 1.200 new residence
- offices
almost 5.000 new jobs
- public spaces - retail - leisure - services
almost 2.500 new students
data sheet
Location The masterplan for the area of Europaallee, that is the name of the main street passing through the new buildaerial view of part of the already built elements
up space, is located in a very accessible and central position, in fact, it is very close to the city center and to the railway station. These spaces, in the last decades, are facing crucial challenges and re-thinking for new development, as it’s happened to Europaallee, where masterplan’s intention was to create a new hub where different functions can coexist in a unique space: the areas surrounded by the railway stations are mostly interested by traffic flows and it can contribute to give more importance to the new development space1 . The accessibility to this area is given also by public transportation which pass close to Europaallee (especially in Lagerstrasse) that let people moving around the area without using the car. The surrounding of the masterplan area are the quartier
The Area
Langstrasse and Kreis 4 that are characterized by a strong presence of nightspots and discotheques but it’s a space where is possible to find retails and restaurants with residences for students, artists and young people; the big park was reorganized and partially open to public uses (because it is military owned) and it is utilized by citizens and visitors.
1
For more information, it’s possible to visit the site: http://www.
kcap.eu/en/projects/v/europaallee/details
the area
official plan of Europaallee
two ipotetical views of the future settlement
7
8
the area
Kreis 1
Kre Altstetten
Langstr
Wollishofe
the localization of Europaallee inside of Zurich
the area
Flughafen Zurich
Kreis 11
0
Oerlikon
eis 5 Oberstrass
rasse
en
City Centre
Zurichsee
0
1
2 Km
9
10
the area
aerial view of the actual situation
Story of the project Europaallee area is owned by SBB, the partner of Swiss Railway, and during the years there were some attempts to requalify the area of railway warehouses, trying to take them off from the city and creating a new attractive pole. The main problem of this area was to acquire the area from SBB1. The name of the projects was changing during the decades and the debate of the dimension of the project was often disagree; the causes of this “long term� project (the first proposal for the area was presented in 1969) are caused by different factors: problem connected with the big dimension of the area (one of the biggest area that Zurich have ever tried to develop), and problems linked with constrictions given by regulatory framework (citizens, referenda and initiatives) that are very important, especially in Switzerland, for developing new construction site. Staring from 1969, lots of attempts were done during the years, up to 2003 when actors found an agreement for the masterplan of Europaallee.
Eurogate, I HB Sudwest, I
1970
Eurogate, II
HB Sudwest, II
1980
Europaallee
1990
2000
1
2010
2020
For more information about this point, visit the website:
http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/zuerich/stadt/Die-Lagerstrasse-soll-zumBoulevard-werden/story/22187422
the area
EVOLUTION OF THE PROJECTS
M ilit ar str
THE STRUCTURE OF THE GRID OF EUROPAALLEE
La ge rst ra ss e as se
Ka se rm en
1970
Railway Station
ss ra st
e
the regular existing grid
La ge rst M ra ilit sse ar str as se
Railway Station
1900
regular grid
M ilit ar st
Railway Station
1991
Ka se rm en
La ge rst ra ss e ra ss e
s ra st
se
irregural grid
tra ss e
str as se
Ka se rm en
2009-2020
La ge r
e ss ra st
ris ita
M il
the resultant grid of Europaallee
11
12 The Masteplan
the masterplan
part of the official plan of Europaallee, showing the two enclosing boulevards
Street system The street system is mainly car-free and organized with parking lot external to the new development; the only street that is maintained vehicle accessible is Lagerstrasse which will become a more pedestrian-bicycle friendly street, maintaining the same traffic that is already present1. In this way, the new organization of the streets can be considered a “linkage” among new spaces and old spaces, pedestrian/bicycle routes and car routes, relationships between public and private spaces. _bus line line 31 line 32 _tram line line 14 new line 1 (from 2025)
Gustav-Gull Platz Europa Square
Europaallee tree lines and the two main plazas
300 meters
1
For more information about this specific project, it’s possible to
consult the website: http://www.20min.ch/schweiz/zuerich/story/19635921
13
the masterplan
Blocks The
ANALYSIS OF THE NEW GRID
blocks
inside
Europaallee
masterplan
are
characterized by the same over-dimension referring to the surrounding but they’re different in terms of typology and shape. se as str ar ilit M
La geLa rsgt e rars sstra es se Ka se rm en
e ss ra st
soft elements
M
a ilit
e ss ra rst
La ge rs t ra ss e
e ss ra st
building C
linear elements _blocks
ANALYSIS OF THE AREA building E
new buildings dimension compared to the existing ones
Green spaces Looking at the masterplan is possible to recognize that there is a lacking of green spaces: it doesn’t mean that public spaces are not present in this area but green element is visible only along Europaallee streets and in
plots
some parts of the squares.
Public spaces The system of public spaces is connected between the different streets inside the area, in particular Europaallee can be considered as a linkage between two relevant public spaces: Gustav Gull Platz and Europa Square, that is located in the old plaza of the railway station.
blocks
Ka se rm en
building A
14 Medium Scale Analysis
medium scale analysis
The Europaallee project is enclosed on two sides by the railway, on one side by the Sihl River and on the last one by the surrounding buildings. Its diagonal orientation interrupts the classic orthogonal grid in order to allow and facilitate the passages from the
skeme of the diagonal boulevard cutting the block of Europaallee
east side to the west side of the plot and vice versa: in fact its central location assures a very strong identity and opportunities to the complex, while its strictly proximity with the station and the riverside allows a continuous flow of people.
Limmat River School district Expressway
Europaallee Station
Sihl River Europaallee and the surrounding infrastructural systems
0
100
200
400 Meter
15
medium scale analysis
Functions This part of the city is moreover residential and commercial: a lot of buildings are dwellings with commercial activities in the first floor. There are neither single nor multi-family buildings, or even culture facilities. An important element in this area however is the presence of education services, both in south and north of the plot. Setting up a school within a Europaallee block, there’ll be the possibility of generating a diffused education district
City of Zürich
that will attract a significant number of students and people that will give a new life to this “in-between” area. Another remarkable element is the reinforcement within the plot of hospitality and commercial services in order to attract more tourists and investors and to offer to the workers a greater number of services.
Europaallee district
scheme of functions around Europaallee
Meter
Single Family Multi-Family Mixed use with Dwelling Industrial Commercial Hotel - Hospitality Cultur School - Sport Facility Transport Building Other
16
medium scale analysis
Flows The Europaallee central position in the city promotes its visibility to a lot of people. The flows around the site are achievable just on one side because, on the other one, there are the railroad tracks; by the way, the closeness with the train station facilitates the presence of people as workers, tourists or citizens. With the new pedestrian area that will serve new facilities inside the complex, as a school and an economic district, the flows inside and around this part of the city will change drastically.
P
Railway Station 3-6-10-14
0
100
200
31-33-34-433E-N2
400Meter 3-14 31-33-34- N2
scheme of the pedestrian accessibilities of the area
3-10-14 31-33-34
primary streets secondary streets pedestrian streets directions bus-tram stops P
parking lot
existing public transport lines around Europaallee
30
634
2
93
12
28
129
1
statio
33
statio
n
n
55 38
32
85
0
Vehicles
13
15
1
9
15
4001 - 8000
People
1001 - 2000
8001 - 14000
2001 - 4000
14001 - 21000
4001 - 7000
21001 - 35000
7000 - 10000 10000 - 15000 0
100
200
400Meter
medium scale analysis
17 1. 2. Zurich typical blocks
newer and older plots compared
Plots and blocks This grid defines some different spaces that are covered by plots and open spaces; Europaallee plots can be considered similar to the old one below but in the new development parcels are not defined and the plot is occupied by a unique big block. The block in Europaallee is opened in order to have a semi-public space in their internal space: this space is projected as a part of the building and sometimes the aim is to create a close space. The grid defines also some open spaces where in Europaallee are at the end of the main street; moreover open spaces and passages for pedestrian are given by building permeability and porosity, which is important defining the north south connection between blocks. 3. Europaallee blocks
Meter
streets plot buildings parcelization
keeping the same shape of the plot, the parcelization inside Europaallee (second line) is different from the more classical one of the surrounding blocks (first line)
18
inside europaallee
aerial view of the site and outline of all the designed single buildings
building F building D
building H building B building E
building C
building A
on going projects last projects to be implemented
building D
finished buildings pedestrian-bicycle street 2020
Inside EuropaAllee
building G
pedestrian-bicycle street (Lagerstrasse)
2018
stages. The foreseen output is an avenue surrounded by
building B
a development plan ending in 2020, subdivided in eight
building F
The actual project for Europaallee started in 2009 is part of
2017
environments and capable of creating a define identity, in close cooperation with the city of Zurich.
building H
modern architectures that are embedded in the existing
The main destination for the Europaallee are business activities and headquarters for Swiss banks - where
value as a new landmark and meeting point inside the 2014
city, with different shops, bars and restaurants.
site from east to west, ending each side with open plazas, while vertical passages are allowed by small corridors
2012
inside and around buildings and a main one on the east side, designed as a meeting point for people interested in topics like travel and sports.
timeline for the realization of each building
building A
2013
ecosystem of Europaallee: two main streets cross the entire
building C
The “pedestrian movements� are fundamental in the
building A
thanks to the central train station. By no means least the
building E
2015
its centrality and the accessibility to the city and outside
building G
already 6,000 workers are present, - choosing this place for
inside europaallee
main horizontal and vertical passages
open, closed spaces and the relation with the railway
line of trees along the streets and green elements
19
20
inside europaallee
Building shape We can interprete the architectural and design strategy in four steps:
aerial view of the built-up area above, the disposition of the different blocks
- Cut
H
- Opening
G
E
F
C D A
- Alignment - Final result Looking at the analysis is possible to notice how the buildings are able to be one and only, but at the same time to work together perfectly. The blocks are built looking at the necessity to provide squares and an open public space to the people; in this way the users will be able to move easily and fluently through the area, being transported by the unique floor and the harmonious correlation between elements.
CUT
H
G
E
OPENING
ALIGNMENT
FINAL RESULT
inside europaallee
CUT
OPENING
ALIGNMENT
21 FINAL RESULT
F
D
C
A
the surface covered by blocks and the green elements around them
22 Buildings
buildings
According to a last review (December 20141) three construction site is for buildings along the line of the three
new
built-up, the last to be built are the more close to the railway.
old
The buildings designed for Europaallee are all categorizable
city
city
buildings are completed (building A, C and E) and the
in two typologies (escluding Sihlpost):
Sihlpost generates a barrier between old and new city
open blocks
blocks or slabs with towers above
Both of them generally provide internal open spaces or
1
green, most of them freely accesible.
europaallee.ch/de/europaallee/projekt/aktuelle-baustellen.html
view of Sihlpost from the west side
view of Sihlpost from Lagerstrasse in 2009, with the area of Europaallee still unbuilt
Newer updates can be seen in this website: http://www.
buildings
Sihlpost
An historic building recently renewed, it
rises as a landmark in this place, being the divider between the old Zurich and the new Europaallee settlement, generating open and closed spaces in-between historical ambience and functionality.
bottom view of Sihlpost from the east side
Sihlpost
23
24 Buildings A
buildings
open block with internal open space
The first part of the Europaallee project is the only one together with block C completed until now. Led by the architect Max Dudler, it appears as a single block with an inner mall occupying the ground floor, while the upper ones
each building composing the block is linked with the other by internal corridors
are offices of the client. The space around is used by the bordering school, giving a strong identity and potentiality to the structure.
the internal paths of the block generate passages and open spaces
FLOOR USAGE office leisure
view from the internal open space of block A
A
25
buildings
B
slab with single tower above
It will be developed by Stücheli architects and, together with block A, they will be the entrance to Europaallee. It has a sculptural and elegant look, with the upper floors dedicated for offices, while a slight reversion of the surface near the basement creates a sort of “portico” for the public
passages and the tower
uses, together with shops and restaurants. The building is also pre-certified with a sustainable label.
the building works as a noise barrier from the railway
B
FLOOR USAGE office leisure
the shape of the building create a sort of portico that encolse the pedestrian passage between the building itself and the line of trees
render of block B
26 Buildings
buildings
single buildings linked together
the corridors between one building and the other generate passages linking the internal open public space with the surrounding boulevards
view of the building designed by Gigon/Guyer
C
each building composing the block is linked with the other by internal corridors
C
view of the building designed by Gigon/Guyer
open block with internal open space
A joint action of three groups of architects (Annette Gigon/Mike Guyer, David Chipperfield and Max Dudler as general supervisor) for the realization of four buildings around a central space. It results as a single squared structure keeping the different buildings separated by surface style and structure, but connected all together at the first floor by a single common art gallery. Even though a Swiss bank is the owner of the structure, the ring generates a central free open space, linked with the space outside by Swiss-style narrow corridors crossing the buildings.
FLOOR USAGE office gallery leisure
buildings
the two towers emerging from the block are surrounded by green roofs, while the internal private space is both green and paved
27
render of building D seen from the railway line
D
the building works as a noise barrier from the railway
D office
FLOOR USAGE
leisure
block with two towers above and internal private
space By the Dutch team Wiel Arets Architects, an interesting project by and architectural and urban planning point of view. Located along the borders of the railway, it’s composed by a main structure accessible by the public with shops and restaurants, ending with two staircases leading to as many towers for offices. This too has a precertified sustainable label.
passages with staircases inside the building
28 Buildings E
articulated slab with two towers above
Project won by Caruso St John Architects together with the
buildings
the two emerging towers at the extreme sides of the slab
E
Swiss-based Bosshard Vaquer Architects, as the previous is located along the railway network. It is a mixed uses building that keeps a classical structure at the basements for public uses and it develops two towers only for housing rent.
render of building E and boulevards
passages surrounding the slab ending with Gustav-Gull Platz
FLOOR USAGE loft
leisure
buildings
29
block with the two towers and the separate one
F
passages and the boulevards surrounding the block generate an open space between the separate tower, Gustav-Gull Platz and the block itself
F
block with two towers above, internal private
space and external tower By Boltshauser architects, it’s a system of three towers, which together blocks E, G and H generate the future “tail” of Europaallee. The towers are mainly designated for lofts and apartments to rent, and their disposition generates a square in between.
the building works as a noise barrier from the railway
render of building F seen from the railway line
FLOOR USAGE
loft
leisure
30 Buildings G
buildings
H G
block with two towers above and internal private
space By the architecture team ARGE Graber Pulver architects, as the previous projects is composed by a single building
the towers above the block
developing two distinct towers, both for residential purposes. The highest tower creates a volumetric entanglement and a vertical cut being in the crossing position between Europaallee and Lagerstrasse.
passages, open and closed spaces, all of them generated by the main tower on the east side
render of building F seen from the railway line
FLOOR USAGE loft
leisure
31
buildings
old city
H
block with two towers above, internal private
space and external tower A joint team of E2A architects and Basler & Hofmann engineers and planners AG, this project differs from the other by its strong integration with the existing neighborhood,
promoting
environmentally
friendly
mobility and urban sustainability. Designed for mixed uses as residential, offices, shops and restaurants, the building is block H (and especially its external tower) will be the west border of Europaallee, separating the new settlement by the old city
placed at the ending (or beginning) of Europaallee, in the crossroad with Longstrasse. It has the goal to be one of the first buildings in Europe with zero CO2 emissions.
the space inside the block is for private uses
render of building H, surrounded by Europaallee and Lagerstrasse
FLOOR USAGE loft office
leisure
32
sketch of the future Europaallee
conclusions
Conclusions
Studying the case of Europaalle in line with urban design
more close and intimate; on the other hand, green spaces
practices, it’s possible to read the project according
can be seen as “place for staying” as the open spaces but
to different themes: urban fabric, building typology
in this area the relationships with nature is lacking.
and public realm; understanding the masterplan of
To conclude, Europaallee is an example of typical
Europaallee and the expectation that this masterplan had
new idea of city linked with the reusing of spaces and
it’s possible to underline that, although a set of different
enhancing the territory; this contemporary intention is
projects during the last 30 years, this masterplan is going to
visible for first looking at the dimension of the building
be developed in the same way as it is designed.
but also thinking to the idea of flexibility, considered as
Although this masterplan is not completed, some crucial
an opportunity to foster identity of the city of Zurich, on
aspects are emerging and they’re dealing especially with
the other hand this adaptability can become a sort of
public and open spaces sphere. Buildings that will face the
“code” for new development building around the world.
railway are very close to the trail and the street along the
The space, although this “ideal criticalities” is a space
same line are not designed: in this way the streets of the
where practices of living, working, studying and others are
orthogonal grid are dead-end street, facing the railway.
gathered together giving a mixed spaces with a variety of
The risk in this case is that streets can become un-friendly
people in that space that is proper of a livable city.
for people passing in Europaallee district. Moreover in this project there is a lack of green spaces that are given just by the streets of Europaallee and, in the future, by Lagerstrasse. This lack can be considered as a choice in order to make the internal spaces of the building
conclusions
view from the plaza inside block C
render of a view from Gustav-Gull Plaz
33
34
sources
BOOKS A. Bonte and J. C. Burkle, “Zusammen Bauen : Dudler, Gigon/Guyer, Chipperfield : Europaallee 21 Zurich = Building together“, Berlin: Jovis, 2013
WEBSITES http://it.detail-online.com/architettura/temi/un-sistema-coerente-europaallee-21-a-zurigo-021710.html http://www.arquitecturabeta.com/2012/01/29/europaallee-kcap/ http://www.europaallee.ch/de/europaallee/projekt/aktuelle-baustellen.html http://www.kcap.eu/en/projects/v/europaallee/3191 http://www.progettarearchitettura.it/nuova-vita-intorno-alla-stazione-di-zurigo/ http://www.archdaily.com/375191/europaallee-zurich-max-dudler-architekt/ http://www.metalocus.es/content/en/blog/europaallee-house-max-dudler-iii http://www.metalocus.es/content/en/blog/wiel-arets-architects-will-design-europaallee-site-d-z%C3%BCrich http://www.carusostjohn.com/projects/stadtraum-hauptbahnhof/ http://www.20min.ch/schweiz/zuerich/story/19635921 http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/zuerich/stadt/Die-Lagerstrasse-soll-zum-Boulevard-werden/story/22187422 http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/zuerich/region/Fuer-den-letzten-Baustein-der-Europaallee-werden-vier-Gleiseabgebrochen/story/16396787 http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/Unsere-Gebaeude-sollen-Ruhe-ausstrahlen/ story/29816429#clicked0.9005495270248502 http://www.german-architects.com/de/pages/studio-visit-kcap
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BiblioSitography
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sources
Image Sources http://maps.google.it http://it.detail-online.com http://www.kcap.eu/en/ http://www.europaallee.ch/de/ http://issuu.com/gigerpartner/docs/issuu_ver_ea_magazin_baufeld_e/1 http://issuu.com/gigerpartner/docs/ver_ea_magazin_haus_g/1 http://www.archdaily.com/375191/europaallee-zurich-max-dudler-architekt/5197f702b3fc4b96d7000092_europaalleezurich-max-dudler-architekt_02_luftbild_europaallee-stefan_m-ller-jpg/ https://www.zuerich.com/it/visitare/attrazioni-turistiche/langstrasse http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aussersihl http://dusp.mit.edu/sites/dusp.mit.edu/files/attachments/project/projections_10_b.pdf