You might not be able to tell from some angles, but the City of Basel in Switzerland reconstructed one of their water reservoirs to lie discreetly amidst a popular urban park. Rather than swallow up the Bruderholz site with their gargantuan reservoir, Berrel Berrel Kräutler buried the bulk of it underground. The top floor is completely integrated into the landscape such that both the steps leading up to the entrance and the roof are covered in turf. Combined with a shimmering facade, this sneaky renovation encourages park visitors to linger a while.
This necessary water works renovation challenges the notion that infrastructure has to be ugly. Recognizing the importance of the urban park to Basel citizens, the city ensured that the reservoir would not interfere with the site’s existing aesthetic.
Instead, they sought to enhance the space by creating new terraces on the building’s roof, and turf-covered steps that children can play on. This is a simple project that demonstrates how easy it is to achieve harmony between the built and natural environment.
Via Arch Daily
images via Eik Frenzel
Denver has one, just north of Congress Park, that is covered by soccer fields.
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What a wonderful idea! I’ll bet, in keeping with the Alpine genius Switzerland is known for, this resevoir can be drained and easily converted into an underground field hospital for use in a national defense emergency.
Carry On!
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Beyond the looks, I like how this idea maintains play space above it, wow using what would be wasted underground space.