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Berlin UTZ Science Center

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UTZ Science Center in Berlin Adlershof On the grounds of the former Academy of Sciences in the district of Adlershof the last few years have been spent developing the science and technology park WISTA. When it came to landscaping the open areas belonging to the Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology, the design was based on predetermined spatial structures and the contextual references of the space-allocation plan. The interdisciplinary planning process involved the close collaboraton of the architects Eisele+Fritz, Bott (Hilka, Begemann). It ostensibly extends and enhances the design of the building through the medium of its external space. Particular aspects of the building design have likewise been influenced by elements of open-space planning. | The differential use of certain parts as paths and recreational areas provides the basis for the design. Depending on their function, they are made from concrete, natural stone, wood, steel, water and vegetation. | The main path is built using large prefabricated concrete units containing integral lighting. It provides the main link to the science city. Access to the 450 metre long building opposite is via the inner courtyard down diagonal, concreteslab paths. These are set at the level of the floor of the building. The interplay of diagonal lines of various widths with the staggered paths lengthways leading to the rainwater reservoir gives the open space a right-angled structure. | The recreation areas are marked by limestone paving to provide a contrast in size and colour. They contain large concrete benches. The water basins serve a necessary purpose by capturing rain overflow. Yet, at the same time, their design adds to the relaxing quality of these areas. Every effort was made to preserve the stock of existing trees. Integration into the open-space planning reinforced their perceived importance. A floating concrete table under the shadow of the trees creates a raised recreation and storage area. It also provides a focus point for the rear of the open area towards the Nernststrasse

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Frankfurt eastern harbour square

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The Heinz-Raspe-Platz is situated in the eastern part of Frankfurt on Main at the riverside, near to the East Harbour called Osthafen. The East Harbour, has been developed over the past years into a modern goods logistics centre on the basis for the “Harbour 2000+” concept. In 2005, approximately 1,800 ships docked and set off from here. According to the reorganisation of the Frankfurt Harbour Management Company (HFM)a new office-building was planned in Lindleystraße, as well as a parking garage and the Kontorhaus, which offers production and display areas, along with offices and stores. The open space between the office building of HFM and the parking garage has become an attractive plaza with trees and seats for relaxing and taking breath during the lunch-time. Events like the 1.Harbour Festival in 2006 took place on the Heinz-Raspe-Platz. The design and form of that public space has structurally been determined by the architecture of the HFM office building. The pattern of the prefabricated concrete floor covering and the brick lining refers to the façade and column intervals. Covered with 9 platanus trees a square ground, situated in the middle of the open space, offers shady seats. At night the Heinz-Raspe-Platz is illuminated by more than 30 upright lights and 20 floor lights, which accentuates that public space and makes it visible to the south-side of the Main

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Raunheim new town quater an der Lache

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New Town Quarter An der Lache Raunheim At the place "An der Lache", which was originally characterized by small gardens and arable land, cost-saving new buildings for young families of the region should be created. The big proportion of woods on the garden grounds has been of ecological importance. In co-operation with the "Planergruppe Flörsheim" a landscape planning concept was worked out, which could guarantee the continued existance and development of the available most valuable scattered orchards as well as the damp biotope Therefore the percolation of the coming up rainwater and its use was fixed by suitable measures in the master-plan. The remaining trees in a good state of preservation were integrated into the planning and put under protection. In the South a green space borders on the building complex, which not only serves the occupants of the buildings as a local zone of recreation but also takes quarter overlapping functions: Cycle- and footh-paths to the adjoining landmarks of the neighbourhood community Rüsselsheim and also walking- connections for pupils between their schoolground and the City. In the course of the object planning a completion of the plantation should take over the picture of the originally scattered orchards. An avenue edged by column-oaktrees in East-West direction completes the area in the South. Selective arranged recreation areas and playgrounds within the open space are marked by sculptures, movements of surface- soil and construction elements, which are multifunctional, playable and also are significant orientation points. As for instance the play sculpture "Dragon" made of injection-concrete

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Public Affairs Office Frankfurt

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Public Affairs Office Frankfurt Due to the erection of the main station in the town area called “Gallus” industrial facilities and workers housing estate developed nearby. When the stations freigth terminal was relocated the quarters importance and identity dissolved. Today the population is dominated by permanent resident aliens and immigrants. Social conflicts characterize the quarters neighbourhoods. The urban plannings current interventions intend to enhance social conditions by redeveloping the urban structure. Hence Frankfurts new Public Affairs Office was sited in the middle of “Gallus”. The new Public Affairs Office The new Public Affairs Office is supposed to revaluate the town area in infrastructural and urbanistic matters. As a public administration building it needs a citizen-friendly and inviting appearance. Reactivating the public space was one of the most important issues. The surrounding area is marked by unpleasant plots of waste land and poorly aligned boundaries of urban spaces. The band structure design permits a combination of openness and urban densification. The spiral band structure, which was especially adapted to this plot of land, provides a substantial free-standing building for the Ordnungsamt - with a high recognition value which reflects its tasks and its importance as a centre open to the public. distinction between the front and back sides or street and courtyard façades. The perceptability of the entire building form is highly increased. The space allocation programme of the Ordnungsamt requires, as far as possible, a floor by floor structuring or stacking of different departments/uses. The structure of the building and the incorporated façade structure takes up this specific subtle differentiation of the building structure in horizontal layers. The basic idea is the polarity of repetition and variation implemented in a large scale building structure . Rebstöcker Square and Boulevard The reactivation of the public space especially shows in three areas: the boulevard, the inner courtyard (and Rebstöcker Square respectively) and the entrance halls. The sidewalks of the surrounding streets were broadened to triple width to create boulevards equipped with contemporay street furniture. These boulevards now provide enough space and an appopriate atmosphere for lingering and socializing. These arrangments aim at continuing the boulevards (the Rebstöcker- as well as the Kriftelerstrasse) towards the north beyond the Mainzer Landstraße as connecting element. The publicly accessible department building is weaving around the aesthetically designed inner courtyard that is open to employees and visitors. The cafe and terrace equipped with table sets and sun screens meet all requirements regarding service and catering. Several implemented circles the so-called „bubbles“ contrast the architecture in different forms and functions. Two wooden circles, the hedge and a grass circle define the layout of the inner courtyard. The circles had to be positioned distant to the access drive of the fire department. The ventilation of the underground parking below the courtyard got circular openings with precast concrete enclosures. These „hats“ that are commonly refered to as „UFOs“ are used as tables and seating by employees and visitors. Beneath the precast enclosures lighting was installed inside the ventilation openings to illuminate the courtyard by night. The trees are planted into round precast elements out of four segments with seating. The public areas such as the different entrance halls, the cafeteria and the cafe are spatially inserted as cut outs, generously glassed and included into the buildings band structure. These semi-public areas open up fluently into public street space. All in all the public space is highly reactivated and continuously as well as barrier-free connected with the public building.

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