Objet du projet
Travail de Master
Lieu
Basel
Étudiants
Madame Borde Oriana
Encadrement
Francisco Aires Mateus | Manuel Aires Mateus
Haute école/Université
USI, Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio
Semestre
Semestre de printemps 2024
Spécialisation
Architecture

Project

The project is located on the edge of Hirzbrunnen, on the other side of the tracks, where the city of Basel ends and the fields and forest begin. It is positionned in a convergence point, where the two historic streets coming from the city meet and continue towards Germany.

The idea is to do a tower that brings a new density to Hirzbrunnen, at the scale of the growing city. The project emerges as a vertical neighbourhood, redefining the fabric of community living in Hirzbrunnen.

Structural Concept

The tower stands 160 meters tall, its triangular form chosen for inherent stability and strength. The design aims to explore contemporary approaches to skyscraper construction, focusing on a self-supporting façade that not only carries the balconies but also allows air to flow through, creating a thermal buffer. This concept avoids the traditional fully glazed façade that tends to overheat. Instead, the design is inspired by the vertical metal structures of gasometers, which convey both lightness and structural integrity.

The primary structure of the tower is composed of steel, a material chosen to express lightness while supporting both the balconies and the floors. At the heart of the triangular form lies a concrete core housing the stairwells and technical services. Surrounding this core, circular rooms cluster together, forming an agglomeration that explores new ways of communal living.

The façade is a metal lattice, overlaid with a fine mesh, with the potential for climbing plants to grow over time, offering natural cooling and blending the tower with its surroundings. The circular structural slabs are made of steel beams that connect to the concrete walls. These walls also serve a dual purpose, housing the building’s services while extending outward to reduce the span of the slabs and minimize direct sightlines between apartments.

The thermal envelope is strategically placed between the glazing and the circular slabs, ensuring efficient insulation and energy management.

The project is composed of four distinct layers: the façade, the balconies, the living spaces, and the service cores. At the center of this assembly lie the communal spaces, fostering interaction among residents and enhancing the sense of community within the tower.