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A Weight in the Landscape.

A Park Landscape in Losone, Switzerland

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Masters Second Year, 2017

Design Instructor: Paolo Bürgi

Team: Christopher Taylor, Alice Huang

Switzerland produces 2 500 000 m3 of inert deposit every year. 2 000 000 m3 of that deposit is able to be recycled, however, the remaining 500 000 m3 is needed to be placed somewhere. And so the question is then asked: Where should this deposit be placed? And should this deposit be designed?

 

This being said, the brief entails a site already chosen with the requirement of designing an artificial landscape using the 500 000m3 of deposit. After visiting the site, it was noticed that the site was a very horizontal site apart from a single rock element that protrudes from this horizontal plane - A very intriguing piece of landscape and one that we decided should be the starting point for the design of the artificial landscape.

 

Moving on from the idea of the rock protruding from the ground, we asked the question of what if the rock was actually placed/dropped onto the horizontal plane? From this came the vision of the rock weighing down the landscape which was explored through various hand sketches and a conceptual model. Having to use the deposit as the main material, the ground was built up surrounding the rock, therefore creating the illusion that the rock was acting as a weight withing the landscape.

 

The ground is built up in such a way so as to allow for the gentle slope up to the top where you are able to stand just above the trees for a 360° view to the monumental alps surrounding the site that characterise Switzerland’s landscape. From this point, the ground then gently slopes back down, guiding you towards the rock in the centre where the bigger stones of the deposit are use to create a stone amphitheater, facing back towards the rock allowing for the space to be used for various special events and performances. A layer of soil and grass is placed on top of the deposit so that upon arrival, one notices the landscape gradually rising up, creating a certain curiosity within the user.

- Site Plan -

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Drawn at Scale 1:1000

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Existing rock acting as an anchor within the landscape

Landscape built up around rock, sloping down towards it

Access provided all around the site

Panoramic views from on top of hill

Trees placed in grid increasing in density as approaching the rock to create surprise effect

Ampitheatre created  at anchor point with possibility of hosting various types of events

Amount of Deposit Used: 620 000m3

- Early Physical Concept Model -

- Concept Sketches & Model -

- Physical Concept Model -

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Built at Scale 1:2000

- Cross Section AA -

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Drawn at Scale 1:1000

- Perspective Collage -

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Showing view from bottom of hill.

Starting from the bottom of the hill, one can see a slow gradual slope rising up to a few tall poplar trees at the top. The hill is also able to form a strong border along the street edge. The colour scheme used for this part of the landscape can be seen on the right of the collage.

- Cross Section BB -

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Drawn at Scale 1:1000

- Perspective Collage -

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Showing view from top of hill

Tall and elegant poplar trees are placed in an alternating gridded formation which contrast the natural forest surrounding the site. These lead you down the slope and at the same time, aid in hiding the rock until the last moment. The colour scheme used for this part of the landscape can be seen on the right of the collage.

- Cross Section CC -

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Drawn at Scale 1:1000

- Hand Sketch -

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Showing view inside grid of elegant poplar trees.

As you are approaching the bottom, fragments of the rock begin to appear through the trees. This rigid arrangement of the trees invite curiosity and imagination, inviting verious ages to enjoy the spaces created.

- Cross Section DD -

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Drawn at Scale 1:1000

- Perspective Collage -

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Showing view from central void space near rock.

A gathering space is created around the existing rock at the bottom of the hill. Steps emerge from the grassy slope using the bigger stones of the deposit and allow for an ampitheatre to be formed for various special events. The colour scheme used for this part of the landscape can be seen on the right of the collage.

- Cross Section EE -

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Drawn at Scale 1:1000

- Hand Sketch -

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Showing view in central void space near rock.

Stone steps create a kind of ampitheatre enabling the possibility to host special events and performances.

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