Offener Wettbewerb | 10/2014
Development of Kaliningrad's historical center
Finalist / Special subject for discussions
Architektur
Erläuterungstext
Notes Kaliningrad
BASIS
The most important connecting elements of the historic city of Königsberg and modern Kaliningrad are landscape and topography. Not only historic buildings and neighborhoods or new traffic highways, created after the second world war, but also the location on the river Pregel, the course of the river through the city and the seaside location characterize the special situation of the city.
The restoration of the course of the natural terrain was therefore a top priority to design. Others like economic, functional and formal aspects are subordinate or arising logically.
Frankly formulated: Not the change and adaptations of today's traffic, the new functional mixture, the formation of a cultural center in the "Heart of the City" are the key components of the idea, the idea results from the topography.
The design goals are :
A high degree of urban density in the northern area with attractive cultural, commercial facilities, hotels and service areas and a high quality of living in the south of the competition area - but also the unbundling of transport and an attractive network of pedestrian pathways.
The restoration of the course of the historic, respectively natural terrain also contributes significantly to eliminate the distinct break between "Altstadt" and the "Königsberg". This means a better connection of neighborhoods and a better mixture of inner-city and residential functions. A compact urban area with a unified appearance is made possible.
URBAN DESIGN
The main competition area (Central Square and „Altstadt“) is divided into 25 rectangular areas between 110 x 80 m and 55 x 60 m. These proportions corresponds very well with the excellent functioning structures of international major cities. The depth of the districts decreases from north to south according to the decrease in density of use towards the river. Two of these districts are not and other ones only partially built upon. In this way, together with the road hierarchy, a graded open space system of public streets and squares arises. The fringe of the „Kaiserplatz“ would also be restored as well as the historic market of „Altstadt“.
The area northern of the former house of the Soviets represents the remains of the "central place" connects to the free space around the castle pond in addition to ist function as a public square.
The areas provided for development should have different character - they can be realized seperately from each other in time and space and independent by different investors, developers or public clients.
However, this scheme enables in different ways the integration of historical elements, parts of buildings, room corners or facade replicas, in order to account for the "genetic code" of the city. Even incomplete realizations offers independent and fully functional solutions which improve the urban and spatial situation in any case. This also applies to the technical infrastructure: the road network and the structural and spatial pattern of streets and squares also consistently follows the technical supply and disposal.
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CASTLE?
According to the design principles, the reconstruction of the castle or rather the reconstruction of an only one part is generally possible, but not recommended for economical, functional and sociocultural reasons.
In spite of the fact, that historic buildings are important in many ways, for example as identity-giving places or signs we have to consider very carefully what parts of the past should be revitalized with a view to a former using for political interests, for culture and education, libraries, university buildings and so one.
Thats why we suggest a pragmatic approach:
What are important urban - spatial, architectural and functional elements of the destroyed castle building - in the sense of that "genetic code"?
On the one hand there is the building mass and the significant tower in the southwest, which almost had landmark character and was an important part of the former skyline. On the other there are the yard of the castle as a semi- public space – once with more intimate character than nowadays and the castle terraces in the south.
It is quite possible to integrate and revive these elements in a modern architectural and urban concept.
ARCHITECTURE
The architecture of the new city center based on the urban concept, mentioned above, and follows the particular building typology of the location and intensity of use. Basically, every district as well as every plot can be planned, financed and realized individuell and with different formal expressions.
Many different sorts and types of materials, colors and shapes are possible, but certainly not suitable for defining a new cultural center. On one hand, the functional possibilities of the concept are advantageous in extensions, alterations, replacement of functions. But for large, design heterogeneity would have an adverse influence.
For this reason, it is proposed to develop principles and rules to accompany, support and control in the medium and long term design process, as you can recognize with first ideas in this competition design.
BASIS
The most important connecting elements of the historic city of Königsberg and modern Kaliningrad are landscape and topography. Not only historic buildings and neighborhoods or new traffic highways, created after the second world war, but also the location on the river Pregel, the course of the river through the city and the seaside location characterize the special situation of the city.
The restoration of the course of the natural terrain was therefore a top priority to design. Others like economic, functional and formal aspects are subordinate or arising logically.
Frankly formulated: Not the change and adaptations of today's traffic, the new functional mixture, the formation of a cultural center in the "Heart of the City" are the key components of the idea, the idea results from the topography.
The design goals are :
A high degree of urban density in the northern area with attractive cultural, commercial facilities, hotels and service areas and a high quality of living in the south of the competition area - but also the unbundling of transport and an attractive network of pedestrian pathways.
The restoration of the course of the historic, respectively natural terrain also contributes significantly to eliminate the distinct break between "Altstadt" and the "Königsberg". This means a better connection of neighborhoods and a better mixture of inner-city and residential functions. A compact urban area with a unified appearance is made possible.
URBAN DESIGN
The main competition area (Central Square and „Altstadt“) is divided into 25 rectangular areas between 110 x 80 m and 55 x 60 m. These proportions corresponds very well with the excellent functioning structures of international major cities. The depth of the districts decreases from north to south according to the decrease in density of use towards the river. Two of these districts are not and other ones only partially built upon. In this way, together with the road hierarchy, a graded open space system of public streets and squares arises. The fringe of the „Kaiserplatz“ would also be restored as well as the historic market of „Altstadt“.
The area northern of the former house of the Soviets represents the remains of the "central place" connects to the free space around the castle pond in addition to ist function as a public square.
The areas provided for development should have different character - they can be realized seperately from each other in time and space and independent by different investors, developers or public clients.
However, this scheme enables in different ways the integration of historical elements, parts of buildings, room corners or facade replicas, in order to account for the "genetic code" of the city. Even incomplete realizations offers independent and fully functional solutions which improve the urban and spatial situation in any case. This also applies to the technical infrastructure: the road network and the structural and spatial pattern of streets and squares also consistently follows the technical supply and disposal.
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CASTLE?
According to the design principles, the reconstruction of the castle or rather the reconstruction of an only one part is generally possible, but not recommended for economical, functional and sociocultural reasons.
In spite of the fact, that historic buildings are important in many ways, for example as identity-giving places or signs we have to consider very carefully what parts of the past should be revitalized with a view to a former using for political interests, for culture and education, libraries, university buildings and so one.
Thats why we suggest a pragmatic approach:
What are important urban - spatial, architectural and functional elements of the destroyed castle building - in the sense of that "genetic code"?
On the one hand there is the building mass and the significant tower in the southwest, which almost had landmark character and was an important part of the former skyline. On the other there are the yard of the castle as a semi- public space – once with more intimate character than nowadays and the castle terraces in the south.
It is quite possible to integrate and revive these elements in a modern architectural and urban concept.
ARCHITECTURE
The architecture of the new city center based on the urban concept, mentioned above, and follows the particular building typology of the location and intensity of use. Basically, every district as well as every plot can be planned, financed and realized individuell and with different formal expressions.
Many different sorts and types of materials, colors and shapes are possible, but certainly not suitable for defining a new cultural center. On one hand, the functional possibilities of the concept are advantageous in extensions, alterations, replacement of functions. But for large, design heterogeneity would have an adverse influence.
For this reason, it is proposed to develop principles and rules to accompany, support and control in the medium and long term design process, as you can recognize with first ideas in this competition design.