City Entrance

The context of the project is a large industrial zone transforming into a new mix-use city neighborhood. This urban shift is predominantly triggered by the Floriade EXPO 2022 and development around the A6 highway. A new boulevard, planned as the back bone of the future city district connecting the area to A6, has a pivotal role in the transformation process.

The site of the project is situated at the very entrance of the emerging city neighborhood. Its gateway position creates chances for a development of a landmark quality, but also exposes the location to a significant noise pollution coming from the A6 highway.

Conceptualizing a residential block at the very beginning of the transformation process is a challenging task. It requires the establishment of an inherent and immediate spatial quality and programmatic self-sufficiency – mini city.

We propose a large perimeter block. It defines a firm urban front along the existing road network fitting into the fabric of the future urban district. The block is higher at its north corner and creates a barrier against the noise pollution coming from A6. The space inside the block is organized around a central green space. It is kept car-free by the access to the main parking facilities being enabled from the site’s outer edge. A selection of residential typologies downscales the building volume and, together with added green and water elements further diversify the living ambient and establish a genuine community, with a critical level of autonomy from the context.