HaidPark
Office Building ComplexFreiburg im Breisgau, GermanyThe urban development concept in the design draft transposes the vision of HaidPark directly into built reality: a central, luxuriant park with an area of more than 2,500 m² forms the new heart of this urban quarter. Four L-shaped buildings are grouped around it that enclose the park towards the inside and sketch a loosely knit, permeable block perimeter structure towards the outside. Four real components arise, each of which is viewable, yet as a whole constitute an “address” of its own as initial spark for redevelopment of the entire municipal borough. Each building is further subdivided into multiple-storey cubes which generate a whimsical composition comprised of protrusions and recesses. What equally comes about in terms of height development are fine differentiations that deliberately counter the more of a large-scale monotony posed by existing building development in the surrounding area ─ a theme that picks up on the environs around the city of Freiburg marked by mountain ranges such as nearby Schönberg Mountain, Alsace and the Black Forest, and interprets them architecturally. The notion behind HaidPark consequently becomes visible in an outward sense, too. Lush green landscaping of both the two-story loggias and rooftops set at staggered heights underscore this interpretation and lead to a very high “quality of stay” for all users and visitors. One high point at a height of 36 m marks the intersection situation and location across from the local mass transit hub to the south. Though other heights also orient themselves in alignment with the preliminary urban development study, the deliberate differentiation allows the total volume of about 39,000 m² of GFA in spatial enclosure to appear more open and with a smaller granularity. The required distances between structures amounting to 0.2 x H are complied with on all sides. The subdivided façade composition within the “framework” picks up on this theme and transposes it to the next level: the choice of materials and/or colours in exposed concrete (in the form of GFRC glass fibre reinforced concrete elements) and anodised aluminium close to the ground (incl. integrated PV modules as glass-glass modules in a homogeneous monochrome look) highlight this harmony with nature. Two-storey loggias and rooftop terraces top off the selection of modern workplaces on offer. Due to the partitioning into four single buildings, not only the desired construction phases can be realised: it’s much more the case that with its publicly zoned uses the general public is invited to experience HaidPark from within. Even the rear sections of the buildings obtain an attractive address location as a result. All usage units are oriented to sizes of approximately 400 m² and predominantly subdividable into 200 m² units on a flexible basis. In particular, however, this redevelopment is “connective”: in other words, the permeability for pedestrians and cyclists in every direction equally promotes a viable, future-oriented urban planning development for the respectively adjoining properties and the entire borough.
HaidPark is the initiator for a realignment of the “Haid” commercial zone. The guiding principle is the creation of a “park” along with a good integration and interconnection of the existing and new greened structures. The core, or rather the heart of this urban planning development, is an intensively greened park, the new HaidPark. A new entryway originates along Munzinger Strasse that provides access to the park. And the main access to the four buildings occurs via the park as well. The park offers attractive zones to linger in. They invite an intensive use of the open space: open-air meetings, “room to roam”, a delicious lunch on the island, quiet areas and areas to “chill”, a park lounge. With its natural modern charm the park makes an important contribution towards improving the microclimate. Rainwater is conduited into the sunken, moulded and not underpinned inner area via troughs and channels. The water is collected, stored, backed up, trickles away and evaporates there (cisterns and the “sponge city” principle). What emerges thereby are appealing aspects and moods that crop up anew time and again. The loosely arranged copses of trees consist of climate-friendly varieties such as white willow, oleaster, whitebeam, wild service tree, hophornbeam, field maple and scarlet oak. The spacious HaidPlaza provides room for “coming + going” (drop-off zone), to rendezvous; wooden decks and seating arrangements beneath trees invite to linger. Rows of trees (pagoda trees and existing pine trees) along the streets, the pedestrian and bicycle route connectors integrate the new buildings into the surroundings. The access zone to the west receives a loosely arranged transfer of trees in the parking-space area. “Climate stones” are envisaged for the paths and plaza areas: concrete paving with drainage channel (coloured grey and beige). Rainwater will be partially stored in the stone and grouting materials, then released again later on by means of evaporation. Parking spaces and bypass (inter alia for delivery vehicles and taxis) receive a surfacing made of turf block paving or turf liner panels. A mosaic on the rooftops will be designed out of photovoltaic systems (35%) along with extensive, intensively greened roofs. A variety of usable zones to linger in will be created on the rooftops: one special place is the “panoramic viewing terrace” at the high point. A “bar”, sheltered outdoor areas for meetings, canopies of trees over wooden decks, shrub and lawn areas all provide for attractive zones to linger in or take a break. Greened vine scaffolds, façade greening, fruit trees in fields of flowers, fitness stations, seating and lounging elements augment the offer on the other rooftop areas.
Project Factsheet
Neda Tahouri, Hamid Edriss, Hamidreza Edalatnia, Luis-Eloy Sereno Hernandez, Leonardo Mariscal, Sascha Schröder, Kim Fenck
