The task at the beginning was to create a natural opening up. It was necessary to cross the barriers of the railway tracks such as the gap of national borders. that happens with the „Highline“, which gives access to the area without bridges or underpasses. It creates a direct connection between the centers of Konstanz and Kreuzlingen. Culture works always in the frontier zone, so a cultural building is designed in the center of the boundaries of railway tracks and Administrative boundary, which works as a gateway or as a valve to the other side. It defines the other side spatially, forces the transparency and the exchange. On the German territory it has a multifunctional theater and concert hall function, at the opposite on the Swiss side it’s a museum and exhibition building. Between them is a common space, which demonstrates the importance of the complex for the two cities. It forms the hotspot for the exploitation of Klein Venedig. In the south of the Lago-shoppingcenter is a building with 5 parking levels and 4 residential levels. In a further phase, the old shore is exposed again. This creates an island, which is designed as a park and acts as a recreational area. Southern of the border is a new mixed-use district developed. Along the seafront is an gastronomy, service and education area as well as on the higher floors residential developments. at the southern end is a hotel as a conclusion of the site. In the second line are buildings with lake-oriented courtyards with areas for specialized housing and working zones in at the ground floor. All the apartments on both sides of the border will always have a view to the lake. Northern of the border is a multi-functional plaza situated between the shore and the Highline. It works also as a plaza beyond the use of major events because of the restaurant and shops below the Highline. It’s a concept that breaks artificial barriers, combines nature and urbanity, and defines a common space. It offers the chance for a adaptable and sustainable urban development which will connect both cities and the lake more together. It‘s not about infinity, it‘s about transparency. Without boundaries, there is no diversity-only with boundaries we can differentiate and exchange. This design forces not boundlessness, but the maximum permeability on the basis of common history, geography and topography.
Pespective from Switzerland
© David Vogel . Published on January 13, 2014.
Perspective from Germany
© David Vogel . Published on January 13, 2014.
Masterplan
© David Vogel . Published on January 13, 2014.