Over centuries the Sihl was shaped and controlled unrestrictedly according to civilizational will. Along its course, its water is consistently diverted to serve the ever-increasing demand of the sprawling metropolis for energy, water, and security. Yet, by placing the corresponding infrastructure underground the complex metabolism within the landscape is disguised.
Two interventions respond to this complex reality: at the Sihl lake, linear structures are embedded in the southern, shallow part of the lake to promote the formation of wetlands. By acting like a sponge, these wetlands dampen the stress generated by the highly fluctuating water level. The swift change of the water level and the gradual formation of wetlands are made perceivable from a tower that is constantly altering both in appearance and accessibility according to the dynamic of the lake.
At the Allmend Brunau, a landscape park transforms the meadow into a flood plain, drawing a clear line between the protected and exposed. It is intended as a counter proposal to the relief tunnel in Thalwil, which is currently under construction. Instead of following the prevailing logic of hiding and disguising infrastructure, the immense effort and invasiveness of human interventions are revealed to the visitors of the park.
