What are the driving forces behind today‘s real estate? To what degree must we as architects choose between conforming or dreaming? Or how can we as humans intervene?

Within the scope of the twelve-week design task C „re-use ciba“ during corona, I explored the processes behind the redevelopment of the Klybeck Areal in my hometown of Basel, and worked out a proposal for the conversion of the former Novartis laboratory high-rise building. In the design process, three main elements emerged, but I see them as only a fraction of the possibilities of how to deal with the complex and overwhelmingly beautiful built environment and its meaning for the citizens:

LIVING ENTITY

How much, and with whom, can I or do I want to share? The Klybeck area has with 31.8m2 per person the smallest average living area per person, while at the same time with 6000-7000chf/m2 the lowest prices per square meter in Basel. Through layers of shared spaces and common facilities I tried to design as generously as possible for as many inhabitants as possible.

PATIO TOWER

What will succeed the recently-removed (but until then highly visible) „novartis“ sign? I propose to fill the gap between the building and Dreirosenbrücke with an airy structure, a tower of terraces that provides vast open spaces to the residents and gives the building a new face to the city in front of its currently closed southern wall.

APPROACHABILITY

How can the cultural centres that recently emerged for interim use in the area be provided space in long term? As the infrastructure and air conditioning for the laboratories becomes redundant, enormous spaces in the basement and top floors will open up. By removing the socle wall of the building, I will make these rooms directly accessible to the city.

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