The site in Regensdorf covers approx. 26,000 m². The site was formerly home to Renault's production facilities, of which the existing shed hall and an office building still bear witness. The client's aim is to develop a new neighbourhood that is characterised by an open and lively structure with a mixed use of living and working.
Upgrading and densification
The right balance between social density and urban scale is crucial for people's interaction. The aim is not only to achieve complexity in the design, but also to ensure the adaptability and changeability of the urban planning elements and to offer a variety of spaces with different qualities of stay.
We see the structure of the hall as a kind of matrix in which open and closed spaces can be organised. A network of streets, alleys and squares, of activities, meeting spaces and retreats for living and working can be created between the columns and under the beams.
The existing office building will be converted into a residential building; the centrally located staircase and the column structure allow for spacious flats that are well suited for families or shared flats. Two additional residential buildings are planned in order to make sustainable use of land resources: With this strategy, we are setting three accents on the site and thus bringing an appropriate density to the neighbourhood.
Preserving the heritage
Creative thinking and a willingness to experiment are the basis for recognising and promoting the enormous potential of our building stock. The supporting structure of the shed halls will be largely retained and slightly modified for new uses. The hall's grid allows for the planning of small and large-scale elements for both exterior spaces (streets, paths, squares) and interior spaces (offices, studios, shops, production facilities, halls with excessive heights, communal spaces, etc.). This creates an urban structure that reflects the qualities of a neighbourhood.
This concept combines past and present and creates a lively, multifunctional space that fulfils the needs of the community while leaving room for future developments. The result is a sustainable and dynamic neighbourhood that offers both economic and social benefits and makes optimum use of the potential of the existing building fabric.
