Cityscapes, Building Design and Facades with ELCITY
Design is increasingly shaping contemporary cities and it has gained a presence which was unimaginable only a generation ago: Guidance and routing systems, media facades and urban infrastructures are developed by designers and, consciously or unconsciously, shape the cityscape and the inhabitants of the city.
The ELCITY concept intends to improve cityscapes, especially more green areas, less cars, new architectures etc. However, the STRASSENHAUS buildings cannot be attributed to one specific design, they rather offer architects and designers a broad range of choices.
In order to integrate STRASSENHAUS into the urban areas designers could adapt the facades to the existing environment e.g. by using historic facades.
The ELCITY concept intends to
1. eliminate the outmoded concepts of wide roads; Wide roads separate cities and they are monofunctional because their entire area is solely used for road traffic. This is not only uneconomical but also conflicts with the desired urban quality of life. No pedestrian is able to quickly and safely cross such a street or use it.
2. create green areas without traffic.
The changes of the urban structure according to figure 1 and figure 2 correspond to the intentions of the ELCITY concept. Wide roads are to be narrowed and green urban areas are to be created were they used to be.
Figures 1 and 2: Plan of the transformation of a 6-lane elevated road in Seoul into a river area
In the German city of Halle/Saale efforts are being made to remove a complete elevated road which is the main artery between the old city and the new city. The elevated road is an ugly sight significantly deteriorating the cityscape and obstructing the view of historical buildings.
Figure 3: Incheon, 2007 - International Airport
Basis and analogies for building concepts which are close to the STRASSENHAUS concept can be found when analysing airport structures and railway stations. The Incheon airport shown in figure 3 is a very good example for this.
ELCITY can be used to narrow existing wide roads in cities while increasing the throughput of traffic thus freeing space for green areas and urban life. See the following example:
Figure 4: Comparison of a street complex with and without STRASSENHAUS
Figure 4 shows the comparison of a transport solution with STRASSENHAUS (above) and the original wide street which cannot be used for urban life. After the reconstruction of the traffic zone a new view of the street evolves. A new traffic-free zone between the STRASSENHAUS buildings is created. The STRASSENHAUS itself has several functions. The ground floor levels in the STRASSENHAUS can be used as commercial areas such as small shops etc. Between two STRASSENHAUS blocks is a traffic-free area. The green area of the territory has been significantly expanded.
Figures 5 and 6: Moscow - Jugosapadnaja without and with STRASSENHAUS
Figures 5 and 6 show the Jugosapadnaja with and without STRASSENHAUS A pedestrian bridge from one side of the road to the other can be added to the STRASSENHAUS shown in figure 6 in order to provide easier access to the shops at the ground floor.
Figures 7 and 8: Moscow - Nikulinskaja without and with crossing STRASSENHAUS
If wide roads are eliminated, those areas can be used multifunctionally as shown in figure 8.
Figure 9 shows an urban area between two STRASSENHAUS blocks. Daily life in this district is not disturbed by passenger vehicle traffic.
It is intended that the elevated level of a modern city is used for activities of the city’s inhabitants. This level could feature bicycle and jogging paths which serve to maintain the inhabitants’ good health and belong to modern life.
Figure 9: Passenger vehicle traffic is separated from the life of the city’s inhabitants
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© 2007 StrassenHaus Ltd. & Co. KG
10.-11. Juni 2009, Schloss Briesen, 15757 Briesen
Vorankündigung.
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