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Offener Wettbewerb | 04/2008

BILATERAL DESIGN COMPETITION - Spatial concepts for the connection of the border towns Bad Radkersburg and Gornja Radgona

Bad Radkersburg

Bad Radkersburg

3. Preis / Städtebau / Landschaftsplanung

Siw Wrobel

Architektur

Julia Banerjee Architect

Architektur

Anja Schomburg Landschaftsarchitektin

Landschaftsarchitektur

GHP Landschaftsarchitekten

Landschaftsarchitektur

Erläuterungstext

Explanation of the project

General
The present urban fabric of Bad Radkersburg has evolved out of the need of defense. From this constraint in the medieval times resulted a dense and clearly defined urban pattern, surrounded by the town wall. The town wall being preserved in an extraordinary good condition and making the historic structure well-visible, the town today radiates a specific appeal of the historic. ‘Inside’ and ‘outside’ of town are clearly separated by the moat. This is to be maintained and strengthened by means of historic mapping and subtle interventions

The historic background in mind it becomes obvious that the town didn’t develop towards the river Mura. Encapsulated it was and is by the town wall. Solely the bridge between Oberradkersburg and Radkersburg and the adjacent urban spaces connected to the water. The proposed design concept develops from this historic linkage and the bridge’s historic location. It tries to redesign and revive these spaces for the town of Bad Radkersburg as central urban locations by the water, as meeting point, as places to stay for a while, to have a break, to relax, to ponder or to have a look what’s going on on the ‘other’ side. Backed-up by a waterfront development on the side of Gornja Radgona the newly created square on the side of Bad Radkersburg allows for a new face-to-face-situation.It is these locations where the communities of Bad Radkersburg and Gornja Radgona face and communicate with each other. As artistic expression of this face-to-face-situation, of facing each other anew, there are, to name one detail, two ‘red settees’, one on each side, placed along the Mura.

A prerequisite for linking the two towns more closely and in such a way that there will be more communication, interactions, exchange, trade, tourism is to redirect the heavy bypass traffic that crosses and strongly disturbs those sensitive spaces. By only allowing reduced traffic to cross this central bridge those spaces can become vibrant and lively, a place to stay. The proposed design creates a bridge that is a place itsself. It offers various viewing platforms with various perspectives (to castle hill, the new waterfront development in Gornja Radgona etc.). Pedestrians and cyclists are provided with spaces on both sides of the bridge. As central element of the new linkage between the two towns the expressively designed bridge will visibly and functionally bring Bad Radkersburg and Gornja Radgona together. To stimulate interactions between the residents there will be direct connection for local motorised individual traffic in both directions.
Together with the different segments of the new promenade on each side, the bridge will form a coherent public space to enjoy the waterfront, the river and the landscape. Various access points on each side allow for experiencing the riverside.


Bad Radkersburg

The overall concept for Bad Radkersburg is to strengthen the open space of the moat and to resurrect the historic fabric. The town entrances are emphasized by a series of repeated elements, such as rectangular transluscent light objects, differentiated surfaces (for instance the threshold is articulated in the paving), markstones (with outline of the key elements of both towns => see logo) and banner for various events. The Northern and Eastern gate follow the image of a ‘drawbridge’, by clearly separating the bridge from its surroundings. The surfaces will be beige coloured /wooden for the pedestrians to slightly remind of a wooden construction of a drawbridge crossing the moat. As symbolic bridgeposts light posts of 2m height underline the character of passing a border, the once flooded moat.

During the night the town walls will be smoothly lit with animated water reflections that relate to the remembrance of the moat surrounding the whole town. During the day a new water course guides along the town as a reminiscence of the once flooded moat. Parallel to the water course the existing footpath around town will be broadened for pedestrians and cyclists. The path entirely circles around Bad Radkersburg. It is equipped with ‘10 Antennen’, spots to have a look at specific parts of the building structure respectively landscape elements.

Water is to become a strong design element of the open space design for Bad Radkersburg. Besides the circling watercourse around Old Town also the spa area will be connected to the town by a little water stream along the axis towards town. Following the water the spa guests will thus be guided towards the centre, the bridge and Gornja Radgona. The location of the water element goes back to an old side arm of the Mura. At the end of the axis towards town a jet of water marks the coming together of the circle water course and the stream from the thermal area to town. It also invites children to play with the water. At one spot there are stepping stones across the water course to physically experience the element water.

The town park is developed into a sculpture park, among which the John Craig sculpture is placed. Flexible chairs to be placed and rearranged individually allow to have aseat in the town park wherever onelikes.
Following the middle line the town park and the spa area are connected to the side of Gornja Radgona, the castle, castle hill aswell as a new footpath through the landscape conservation area below the castle by a light bridge construction for pedestrians and cyclists

Gornja Radgona
Other than Bad Radkersburg Gornja Radgona has developed more freely in a much less dense way. Despite that sustainable building structures along the waterfront of the Mura have not yet developed due to various existing buildings occupying valuable space inappropiate for those functions.
The proposed design concept shows a comprehensive waterfront development with different public spaces and a mix use structure. Functions like leisure, shopping, cafés, restaurants, offices, housing and parking (violet corner building in the Southeast). are proposed to mix in a balanced way. Access (one-way) for delivery, residents and emergency is provided south of the promenade. Footpaths crossing the new building structures in different directions allow access to the river Mur and the existing surrounding areas. A continious promenade connects the new waterfront with the Mura. The surfaces are differentiated by different textures (paving, Murnockerln etc.) but form a homogenious entity.

To get a closer grasp of the water, the HQ 100 element will be designed as a seating element (see details). By this means, pedestrians won’t be bordered off from the river anymore as it is the case with the existing water protection element. A number of viewing platforms structure the promenade lengthwise. Spinning deckchairs on the platforms allow to change view or change the direction towards the sun for having a sunbath.

Adjacent to the central bridge a boat mooring place is provided for tourist boat traffic. At the same time a summer café can find its place on the wooden ‘’float’-like structure. Here, historically the floats landed. The access is from the market square. The old market square will be revived and is an open space for flexible use (farmer’s market, flee market etc.).
A second floating element could be a temporary stage on the river opposite to the new square.
The urban pattern close to the central bridge is to be densified. The streetscape shall be clearly defined.

The castle garden shall be redeveloped in a historic layout but with contemporary means. A lift right at the bottom of castle hill brings people up there to visit the castle and to have a view over the two towns. Several platforms give possibility to enjoy the perpective from the hill.

The new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists links the town park of Bad Radkersburg with the lower castle hill area and the landscape conservation area. A footpath leads visitors through the natural reserve. From here a serpentinelike footpath connects with the castle.

Lighting concept
The key elements like castle, promenade, bridge and town wall are to be lit (see photo on plan 4) during the night.

Bad Radkersburg

Bad Radkersburg

Bad Radkersburg

Bad Radkersburg

Bad Radkersburg

Bad Radkersburg

Gornja Radgona

Gornja Radgona

Gornja Radgona

Gornja Radgona

Gornja Radgona

Gornja Radgona

Gornja Radgona

Gornja Radgona

Overall Design Concept

Overall Design Concept

Overall Design Concept

Overall Design Concept

Overall Design Concept

Overall Design Concept

Overall Design Concept

Overall Design Concept

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Gornja Radgona

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Ausschnitt Bad Radkersburg

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details

Lighting Concept and Promenade Details