Schindler Award 2010 – Project plans

Fourth Prize: “GREEN STREAM”

School: Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

Student: Arturo Isacco Panichi
Professor: Prof. Paolo Felli, Dipl. Arch. Sauro Guarnieri
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GRE
EN
access for all. STR
EAM
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ACCESSIBILITY CONCEPT AND LAYOUT UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE 5 6 7 8

TOPOGRAPHY LEVELING CONCEPT ACTIVITIES Masterplan concept. Reference person: Klaus-Dieter Wüstermann

THE PATHWAY STRUCTURE IS CONCEIVED TO GO
ALONG WITH THE NATURAL SMOOTHNESS OF THE
LANDSCAPE. IN ADDITION IT HAS A MEDIATING EF-
FECT TOWARDS ABRUBT CHANGES IN HEIGHT DIF-
FERENCE, SUCH AS THE MANMADE S-BAHN TRENCH
SPANDAU AND THE MURELLENSCHLUCHT.
FURTHERMORE, WHEN CONVENIENT, ACCESS TO
RUHLEBEN ACTIVIES IS PLACED IN ACCORDANCE TO THE PATH-
WAYS RATHER THAN TO THE SURROUNDING PLOT.
THIS WAY VISITORS WON’T HAVE TO COVER UNNE-
CESSARY DIFFERENCES IN HEIGHT.
OLYMPIA
STADION
This new vision for the Pichelsberger Tip finds its main concept in contrast. The contrast starts
PUBLIC PATHWAYS on a grand scale, as Pichelsberg is one of the first vast green zones just outside the “Ring”, in
opposition to the qualities of urban space within it. The contrast lies in the present, and poten-
tially, in the future utilization of this area: mass affluence from the whole city to partecipate in
RUHLEBEN sports events and entertainment in the Waldbühne versus local communities taking advantage
PICHELSBERG U-BAHN of the S-bahn station, park and sports clubs. My concept combines these opposing factors into
a functional, legible and relaxing environment. In order to do so, importance is given to various
S-BAHN aspects:
PICHELSBERG
MURELLENSCHLUCHT
WALDBÜHNE
Compatibility
Many of the required activities may generate proximity problems for one another. In particular,
the Waldbühne, with its loud summer evenings, and the Equestrian Center, with its daily pro-
duction of dung, are the two main sources of nuisance for the other activities. In this respect,
the most sensitive element is the Hotel; therefore, I placed it as far as possible from these two
polluting activities. In so doing, I discovered the possibility of integrating the Hotel with the S-
GREEN STREAM Pichelsberg station design, which contiguity is an added value for guests.

THE MOST DISTINCTIVE TRAIT OF THE LANDSCAPE
PICHELSBERG IS THE DUPLICITY IN THE DESIGN OF GREEN AREAS.
THE MAIN ROUTE - CONNECTING THE S-BAHN WITH
THE WALDBÜHNE - IS SIGNALLED BY THE PRESEN-
CE OF A CLEARLY ARTIFICIAL LANDSCAPE, A GREEN
STREAM OF GRASSBEDS, PLANTED WITH VARIOUS
SPECIES OF GRASS AND OTHER VEGETATION. THE
GRÜNEWALD
STRONG SENSE OF DIRECTION IS ACCOMPANIED BY
A MARKED DYNAMISM.
CONNECTING WITH THE URBAN SCALE
THE SECONDARY ROUTES AND THEIR RESPECTING
THE POSITION BETWEEN THE U2-TERMINUS IN RUHLEBEN AND THE S-PICHELSBERG IS STRATE- GREEN AREAS ARE DESIGNED IN A MORE TRADITIO-
GIC. IT CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACT AS A SERVICES PLATFORM FOR EXCURSIONS TO THE NAL ROMANTIC-LIKE FASHION, THEREFORE MORE
GRÜNEWALD. POTENTIAL VISITORS WOULD COME FROM THE WHOLE GREATER BERLIN AREA. STATIC.
Route Legibility
I concentrated on what I felt to be the busiest link within the area: the S-Pichelsberg station-
Waldbühne connection. In doing this, I wanted to include not only the newly introduced activi-
ties, but also the pre-existing ones (Horst Korber Sportzentrum) and the residential areas of
Pichelsberg and Ruhleben, over the Murellenschlucht. To achieve this, I conceived an organic,
continuous stream of paths and green strips, giving a strong sense of dynamism and direction,
as opposed to the rest of the area, which is based on the more traditional, static qualities of a
romantic park. The “Green Stream” is a bi-directional system on which activities happen and
grow as extensions of it, therefore, the soft, curved design of the Stream blends into pathways
and architectural façades while standing out from the static green areas. Meanwhile, the pro-
blem of level inequality is addressed by leveling it through the Stream, which, in fact, forms a
bridge between the two sides of the S-Bahn trench and the two slopes of the Murellenschlucht,
flying over the Glockenturmstrasse and keeping its height to access activities at the top of spec-
tator stands of the Ice Sports Center.
Mass Legibility

LANDMARK LEGIBILITY
A STRONG EMPHASIS IS PUT
ON THE FORMAL DEFINITION OF
BUILDINGS AS LANDMARKS, CLE-
ARLY VISIBLE FROM A DISTANCE.
CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ARE
MAINLY TWO FACTORS: BIGNESS
AND SKIN.
SIZE ORIGINATES FROM THE
STANDARD DIMENTIONS OF THE
SPORTS FACILITIES HOSTED BY
THE BUILDING. SKIN VARIES AC-
CORDING TO THE ACTIVITY, BUT
IS ALWAYS AIMED AT INCREASING
CONTRAST BETWEEN ARCHITEC-
TURE AND NATURE.
Perception of space and masses is enhanced by clear lines of sight, and by specific architectural
choices aimed to create extremely distinct landmarks within the grounds. The intrinsic large size
of the majority of the required activities is a good starting point in making them visible from a
PARK SITUATIONS
distance, so the standard rectangular sports fields gain their third dimension smoothening as
they rise into giant, artificial-looking objects. Their quality is alien and stands out in the dense
THE GREEN STREAM AND THE PATHWAYS CONTINUOUSLY INTERACT, CROSSING EACH sea of trees that populate this area.
OTHER IN A RICH THREE-DIMENTIONAL EFFECT.
Integration
THE PRESENCE OF SPARCE TREES AND FLOWERBEDS ALONG THE PATH GENERATE A
Pichelsberg has little to do with an urban environment, and I believe that its lush, green character
MORE INTERESTING, EVER-CHANGING LANDSCAPE.
must be preserved. Choices are always to be made, and I chose to ignore the axial “hint” given
LEVEL DIFFERENCES NOT ONLY DEFINE MORE CLEARLY DIRECTION AND INTERSEC-
by the attestation of the “Germania”project; I rebelled against the too sharp project-site demar-
TIONS, BUT CAN ALSO HOST SIGNS AND CREATE SEATING AREAS ALONG THE TRACK.
cation line. I chose to believe that accessibility has a strong psychological component, and that
people with impairments, like everyone else, can benefit from some absence of straight, cutting
lines and from dreaming of/with nature, walking on the top of trees and so on...
NARROW VISION FIELD AT INTERSECTIONS
MOST PATHWAY INTERSEC- Mr. Wüstermann goes to the Hockey match
TIONS ARE FORKS, ONLY WHEN
STRICTLY NECESSARY A PATH It is a fine Sunday afternoon, as Mr. Wüstermann exits the S-Bahn in Pichelsberg, just after
DIVIDES INTO THREE. ALSO THE Olympiastadion. His eyes don’t need to readjust much to the light, as he exits the train on one of
TWO WAYS ISSUING FROM THE the open segments of the platform, only protected by tree-like canopies that mimick the vegeta-
OBSERVATION POINT FORM AN tion along the S-Bahn trench. There is no trouble in identifying the closest elevator, as it shines,
ACUTE ANGLE TO ALLOW A CLE- a clear volume of back-lit panels highlighting it in the shade of one covered platform segment.
AR, PREFIGURED IDEA OF WHE-
RE THEY LEAD. As the elevator doors bling open, Mr. Wüstermann steps out onto the pathway, now almost una-
ware that the station is just below him. To his left he recognizes tall buildings, clearly residen-
tial. He takes a quick “stroke” at the tactile plan of the area and follows the ground orientation
system to the right, immediately distinguishing the shape of a high building, popping up above
the trees next to the station. As he enters the park, in axis with the pathway in front of him, he
sees a stream of grassy patches on both sides of it; the grass seems to be different from patch
to patch, sometimes taller, and in different colors and qualities. In the same direction he sees
large, flat constructions, and a thin tower behind them. That must be the Glockenturm, a monu-
ment he’s heard about before in connection with the Olympiastadion complex.

Just as he starts to enter the heart of the park, Mr. Wüstermann takes a look around. On the left
there is a smoother, more traditional green area, sloping lightly downwards to a denser forest.
But right in the middle, at the end of the vision field, there is a clearing defined by two large,
flat pebble-shaped buildings, standing out amidst and above the trees. That must be it, the Ice
Sports Stadium; after all, it’s in the direction he remembers from the tactile plan, and there is a
large sign pointing to it, carved on the side of an earthbed, which marks the path intersection.

Mr. Wüstermann walks on a light coloured pathway, he sees the grass lawns along it and feels
them with the tip of his stick. As the shade of trees start to bring him some fresh air, he can
hear horses clopping and neighing behind bushes, and he can lightly smell their dung… Then
he reaches a road, just across it a wide ramp flies up to his destination. There isn’t much traffic
in sight; only a few cars entering another ramp that probably goes down to the parking garage
under the stadium. In any case, his path doesn’t cross the cars’. Up he goes the ramp and into
the stadium. Great! As he walks into the stand he realizes he is already at the top of it and finds
his seat easily.

Exiting the stadium after the game Mr. Wüstermann stops for a moment to think about the cru-
shing defeat his team just suffered, and decides to recover with an early dinner. The sign indica-
tes a restaurant in the opposite direction he came from, so he sets out. Walking on a platform at
mid-tree-height is pleasing; he can hear and smell the forest below him, in the Murellenschlucht.
He continues to follow the narrowing path until he realizes he’s crossing the street again, this
time from above and without having felt any slope. Thank goodness, because the street is now
crowded with cars and people, on their way to a big rock concert. He hears instruments in the
distance, behind the trees. The catwalk continues, slightly descending now, passing between
two buildings and landing in a little square, flanked by high trees on one side and by a sinuous
façade on the other. It looks like a ribbon covering the building behind it with its waves. Below it
the restaurant is clearly visible, lit up and full of chattering people.

After eating Mr. Wüstermann gets back on track, making his way to the S-bahn station – it is
dusk now. He follows the path along the wavy façade, which at some point submerges into the
ground blending with the surrounding grassy patches. In front of him the tall building, sprou-
ting out of the earth, is fully lit, and just below it he recognises the S-Bahn symbol, stamped on
back-lit volumes sticking out of the grass, just like the one he saw earlier in the station. As he
walks down the light slope, he sees a big hall, hypogeum, reaching deep under the building. By
the number of people and the looks of the place, this must be a hotel.

As the elevator doors open again on the station platform, Mr. Wüstermann hears the train co-
ming, on his side of the platform.
 SPANDAU
SPANDAU

RUHLEBEN
RUHLEBEN

OLYMPIAOLYMPIA
STADIONSTADION

SPANDAU
PICHELSBERG
PICHELSBERG

RUHLEBEN

GRUNEWALD
GRUNEWALD

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OLYMPIA

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STADION

URBAN CONCEPT AND STRUCTURES PICHELSBERG

GRUNEWALD

BERLIN
11 KM - 25 MIN

SPANDAU

RUHLEBEN

OLYMPIA
STADION

SPACES PICHELSBERG UTILIZATION LINES OF SIGHT - REFERENCE LANDMARKS

EXISTING BUILDINGS S-BAHN TRACK S-BAHN ACCESS EXISTING SPORTS FAC. RESIDENTIAL
GRUNEWALD

NEW BUILDINGS HOTELS ICE SPORT CENTER INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LAYOUT S-BAHN TRACK
RESTAURANT TENNIS CLUB GLOCKENTURM LANDMARKS - ORIENTATION REFERENCE UNOBSTRUCTED VISUAL AXES
PUBLIC TOILETS EQUESTRIAN CLUB WALDBÜHNE

CROSS-LINKING WITH METRO AND LOCAL AREAS URBAN STRUCTURES GREEN STRUCTURES

S-BAHN ACCESS BLOCK PERIMETER -SIDEWALKS FOOT + BIKE [RENTAL/RACK]

ACCESS POINTS FROM METRO AREA ACCESS POINTS FROM LOCAL AREA S-BAHN TRACK FOOTBRIDGES GREEN STREAM - DYNAMIC WOODLANDS
MAGNETS FOR METRO AREA MAGNETS FOR LOCAL AREA FOOTPATHS FOOT + HORSES PUBLIC PARK - STATIC ENCLOSED AREAS - PRIVATE/CONTROLLED
PAVED AREAS WITHIN PARK PARKING SPACES [UNDEGROUND]
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OVERALL PLAN - SCALE 1:1000 UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE 5 6 7 8

WALDBÜHNE BACKSTAGE
20 PARKING
10 TRUCKS/BUSES

EQUESTRIAN
CENTER
10 PARKING
10 TRAILERS
LEGEND

PATWAYS & PROJECT WOODLANDS

EXISTING BUILDINGS PUBLIC PARK - STATIC

STREETS AND PARKINGS GREEN STREAM - LAWN

GREEN STREAM - FIELD

GREEN STREAM - SHRUBS

GREEN STREAM - WILD

ICE SPORTS CENTER

380 U-PARKING

S-PICHELSBERG
STATION

HOTEL
60 U-PARKING

RESTAURANT
WALDBÜHNE
WC
TENNIS CLUB

TENNIS
CLUB
66 PARKING

206 PARKING
20 BUSES
28 PARKING

N
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Accessibility Concept. Reference person: Mr. Manser

In the “Green Stream” project, the S-Pichelsberg Station and the Waldbühne play key roles.

N They are the principal departure and destination points, therefore the masterplan concept re-
volves around the link that joins them. Specific attention has been given to integrating these
two infrastructures/activities within a wider pathway system and within the natural character of
Pichelsberger Tip.

C ACCESS/EXIT LEGIBILITY Both the S-Bahn station and the Waldbühne sink deep in the area’s orography: 7-8 meters for
the first and more than 30 meters for the second. I decided that because of the type of activi-
WITHIN THE ALTERNANCE OF LIGHT ties concerned, this difference in height was too much to allow ramps. Consequently, the use of
AND SHADOW, OR EVEN BETTER AT elevators and comfortable stairs would let me save on surface consumption and concentrate on
NIGHT, BACK-LIT ELEVATOR SHAFTS their visual quality.
STAND OUT AGAINST THE STA- S-Bahn Station Pichelsberg
TECHNICAL
ROOMS
TIONS ENCLOSURES, THEMSELVES
A SOURCE OF ILLUMINATION. THE The architecture of the station is integrated with the park landscape above, particularly in its
STAIRS ARE PLACED DIAGONALLY SO covering. Three strips of land fly over the S-Bahn trench, leaving exposed two inner segments
AS TO NOT OBSTRUCT THIS VISIBILI- of the train platform. Where the platform is open, one faces, on both sides, the dense forest
WC TY. THE SAME DEGREE OF VISIBILITY that acts as a filter between the trench and the surrounding activities. Protection is provided
TAKES PLACE AT THE PARK LEVEL, by light tree-shaped canopies, in continuity with the environment. Where the platform is cove-
ELEV. WHERE THE SHAFTS RISE OUT OF red, elevators and stairs rise to the upper level, giving direct visibility and access to the park’s
THE GREEN GRASS, CLEAR SIGNALS pathway structure. Legibility of the vertical connections is guaranteed on both access levels by
EVEN FROM A DISTANCE. their morphological and technological features, such as serigraphies and back-lighting. The dia-
gonal disposition of stair and elevators allows to maintain their dimensions without taking up
too much space on the platform’s width. Also, it avoids a linear placement of the two elements,
STATION ACCESS LEVEL - SCALE 1:500 which too often results into hiding the elevator behind the stairs or vice-versa.

TREE
BARRIER TRAIN
PLATFORM

TREE
BARRIER

MASTER
A

ELEV.

TREE MODIFIED SECTION

BARRIER
B THE WEATHER EXPOSED SEGMENTS OF THE TRAIN PLATFORM ARE SHELTE-
RED WITH A “GROVE” OF TREE-LIKE CANOPIES. THESE FORM AN ARTIFICIAL
PROSECUTION OF THE THICKETS THAT ARE INTERRUPTED BY THE PRE-
TREE
BARRIER SENCE OF THE S-BAHN TRENCH, AS WELL AS PROTECTING PASSENGERS
DESCENDING THE TRAIN ALONG THESE SEGMENTS.

TRAIN
PLATFORM

HOTEL
UNDERGROUND
LEVEL

ELEV.

WC

TECHNICAL
ROOMS

PLAN OF PLATFORM LEVEL - SCALE 1:500

TRANSVERSAL SECTIONS LONGITUDINAL SECTION

AA BB - SCALE 1:500 CC - SCALE 1:500
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ACCESSIBILITY CONCEPT AND LAYOUT UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE 5 6 7 8

Waldbühne

PUBLIC
SPECTATOR
WALDBÜHNE
ENTRANCE
PERIMETRAL ACCESS FOOTBRIDGE
THE LOWER LEVELS OF THE ARE-
NA ARE BETTER REACHED WITH A
“LIGHT” INFRASTRUCTURE PROVI-
DING A COMFORTABLE VERTICAL
CONNECTION THRU STAIRS AND ELE-
VATORS.
MURELLENSCHLUCHT PEDESTRIAN-CYCLE BRIDGE This extra-large monument is made accessible by the addition of an infrastructure on a coherent
scale to it. This particular choice was also induced by the great advantage of addressing simul-
PRESENT SECTION taneously two different deficiencies of the area: inaccessibility of the Waldbühne and crossing
of the Murellenschlucht. An arched two-level footbridge on each side of the arena was concei-
ved. The upper level is connected to the park’s pathway structure, therefore accessible to all
2ND CIRCLE who want to take the Ruhleben-Pichelsberg route. The lower level is only accessible from within
1ST CIRCLE
the arena’s grounds, therefore just to ticketholders; from this “spectator” bridge, concrete tilted
towers reach the three lower levels o the Waldbühne with comfortable stairs and 40-pax eleva-
ORCHESTRA tors, thus saving impaired or elderly spectators the trouble of “climbing” the original staircases
of the arena. The lower the level is, the higher the percentage of spectators that can utilize the
new infrastructure; for example, 63% of the orchestra can be evacuated in ten minutes via this
route. Structurally, the footbridge is very light, a simple reticular concept allows it to be perme-
ated by the forest, noticeably reducing its impact on the Schlucht. The stair/elevator shafts, on
the contrary, are of a heavier consistency, so as to be easily identified as evacuation points from
the arena.

LEGIBLE VERTICAL CONNECTIONS

FOOTBRIDGE INTERVENTION’S RESULTS:
10’ EVACUATION SCENARIO THE LIGHTNESS OF THE BRIDGE IS OPPOSED BY
THE COLORFUL VOLUME OF THE VERTICAL CON-
ABSORBS 26% OF 2ND CIRCLE SPECTATORS MODIFIED SECTION NECTIONS, THUS STANDING OUT IN THE GREEN
ABSORBS 24% OF 1ST CIRCLE SPECTATORS FOREST ENVIRONMENT. EASY TO VISUALIZE AND
ABSORBS 63% OF ORCHESTRA SPECTATORS THREE ROWS OF STALLS ARE RE- REACH, THESE TOWERS HAVE A MODEST IMPACT
MOVED AND PATHWAYS ARE WIDE- ON THE PERCEPTION OF THE MURELLENSCHLUCHT
ABSORBS 18% OF THREE LOWER LEVELS NED BY 2.25 MT TO MAKE SPACE FROM THE ARENA.
FOR AN “IMPAIRED” SPECTATORS
ABSORBS 100% OF “ACCESS FOR ALL” SEATS AREA. WHEELCHAIR SLOTS ARE
ALTERNATED WITH REGULAR
BENCHES TO MAINTAIN A MIXED
CONFIGURATION. THE HEDGE IS
KEPT AS A DEFINING TRAIT OF

N THE ARENA.

A
B

SECTION INTERVENTION’S RESULTS:

3RD CIRCLE +93 IMPAIRED SLOTS - 600 SEATS

2ND CIRCLE +69 IMPAIRED SLOTS - 450 SEATS
1ST CIRCLE +48 IMPAIRED SLOTS - 300 SEATS

A B THE REMAINING 40 IMPAIRED SLOTS ARE LOCATED

IN THE ORCHESTRA
FOOD KIOSKS

RESTROOMS

RESTROOMS Mr. Manser goes to a Berliner Philarmoniker summer venue

Finally, the summer has started after a terribly long winter, and finally, all trees are back to a
luxurious green. Mr. Manser, in his wheelchair, gets off the S5 at Pichelsberg Station with hun-
dreds of other people, probably all going to his same destination, the opening concert of the
FIRST AID
Philarmoniker summer season, at the Waldbühne. Most people use the stairs to exit the S-Bahn
trench, so Mr. Manser finds himself in the elevator just with an old couple and their friend. As
they exit the elevator, without needing to turn around or reverse, they all join the tail of the group
directed to the Waldbühne.

One has to go through the park to reach the arena’s entrance, a distance of about 500 meters.
The wide path, in lightly-coloured contrast against the surrounding grassbeds, shows the way
clearly and doesn’t present steps or steep ramps; as a matter of fact, it follows the soft curve
of the hill. After passing the Horst Korber Sports Center, the crowd reaches Am Glockenturm.
Just across the street is the entrance to the Waldbühne, with people flowing in through the ticket
booths.

The light slope connecting the entrance to the top of the arena hasn’t changed much since
last time Mr. Manser was here. The trees have remained; only the few wooden food-kiosks have
FOOD KIOSKS disappeared. As Mr. Manser enters the massive open-air circle he notices the new food-kiosks,
now neatly placed along the forest boundary. He follows signs for sector B2*, the asterisk indica-
FOOTBRIDGE ELEVATION SAMPLE VERTICAL SECTION ON STAIRS AA VERTICAL SECTION ON ELEVATOR BB ting the preferential route via elevator. At the side of the top gallery he enters a glass enclosed
1:200 SCALE 1:200 SCALE 1:200 SCALE pathway, and as he moves on, he realizes it’s a footbridge floating at the top of trees… what a
spectacular scene! The structure is light and transparent, so it’s easy to see the bright red ele-
vator entrance, jutting through the glass panels on a side of the tunnel. The queue is short and
he gets into the large elevator fairly soon. Once he reaches the 1st circle level – at 22 meters
below the entrance – he finds his slot along the gallery, towards the middle. The gallery has been
widened so there’s enough room for passing people and wheelchair slots to manoeuvre comfor-
tably. After a few minutes Mr. Manser is joined by his friends – they are always late – who take
seat right next to his slot, on benches specifically placed at intervals with the wheelchair slots.
Soon the concert starts.

It’s already dusk at the time of intermission. Mr. Manser needs to use the loo so when he rea-
ches the services area, at the side of the arena, he sends his friends ahead to get some beer
and snacks at one of the food-kiosks. The lit-up restrooms are well visible under the trees, and
big enough to avoid long waits. Shortly after, Mr. Manser is discussing the performance with his
friends, surrounded by the thirsty crowd.

After the concert is over the spectators start moving towards the top of the arena. Mr. Manser
knows which way to go, recognising the red elevator shafts through the trees; it’s dark now, but
the towers are well lit. The whole audience is moving out at once, so it takes some patience at
the base of the elevators… after 10 minutes Mr. Manser and his friends have reached the exit
and set out towards the S-Bahn station again.

The station’s elevator shafts stick out of the grass, light cubes visible from some distance. Mr.
Manser needs the restroom again, and luckily he notices a WC symbol on one of the back-lit
elevator shafts from some distance, and knows where to go. The Restroom is just behind the
elevator, once the train platform level is reached. Mr. Manser exits just in time to catch the S5
back to Berlin.
 HOTEL
DESIGN & ACCESSIBILITY CONCEPT
LOBBY UTILIZATION
ALL ACTIVITIES HOSTED IN THE HOTEL
ARE ACCESSIBLE FROM THE LOBBY. THEIR
ROOMS
POSITION TAKES IN ACCOUNT VARIOUS
FACTORS, SUCH AS LINKS WITH OUTDOOR
AREAS, GARAGE, ADMINISTRATION AND
GREEN STREAM LOBBY TECHNICAL AREAS, HOTEL ROOMS. THEIR
SHAPE DERIVES FROM THE “GREEN STRE-
STREET LEVEL
SERVICES LEVEL
AM” STRIPS OF LAND COVERING THEM.
TOPOGRAPHY THEIR DEGREE OF PROJECTION INTO THE
HOTEL LOBBY HELPS CREATING ENCLOSURES,
MORE INTIMATE SPACES AND CONTROL-
S-BAHN LED ACCESS TO HELD ACTIVITIES.
PICHELSBERG
TOPOGRAPHY LEVELING
VERTICAL CONNECTIONS
THE HOTEL IS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED NEXT TO THE S-BAHN STATION, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A PRE-EXISTING EM-
BANKED PORTION OF LAND. THIS AREA IS FILLED WITH THE UNDERGROUND LEVEL OF THE HOTEL, HOSTING A GARA-
GE, UNLOADING AREAS, TECHNICAL ROOMS AND OTHER HOTEL-RELATED ACTIVITIES.
THE LOBBY IS AT STREET LEVEL, HIDDEN BY STRIPS OF LAND THAT RAISE FROM THE “GREEN STREAM”. THE ROOMS LOBBY LEVELS
OF THE HOTEL ARE LOCATED IN THE 15 STOREY TOWER RISING TILTED FROM THE GREEN, FLAT BASE OF THE LOBBY.
THE SITE WHERE THE HOTEL LIES HAS A
1.2 METERS LEVEL DIFFERENCE BETWE-
EN THE STREET FRONT AND THE PARK
FRONT. THIS HAS BEEN EPLOITED TO
CREATE A MORE ARTICULATE AND INTE-
RESTING LOBBY ENVIRONMENT, DIVIDED
INTO THREE AREAS: STREET LEVEL (LO-
WER), HOTEL RECEPTION LEVEL (INTER-
LOBBY ORIENTATION MEDIATE), PARK LEVEL (HIGHER).
WITHIN THE VAST LOBBY SPACE, ORIENTA-
TION IS ENHACED BY THE PRESENCE OF LIGHT
STRIPS INDICATING ACCESS POINTS TO THE
STREET LEVEL - 67,00 MSL
DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. THESE RIBBON WIN-
DOWS DERIVE FROM THE DIFFERENCE IN HOTEL RECEPTION LEVEL - 67,60 MSL
HEIGHT BETWEEN TWO ADJACENT CEILING
PORTIONS.
LOBBY ROUTES
THE LOBBY HAS VARIOUS ENTRANCES,
ALLOWING EACH USER TO CHOOSE A
PREFERRED PATH TO HIS DESTINATION.
HOWEVER IT IS POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY A
HYERARCHY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDA-
RY PATHS, NOT TO MENTION THE DIRECT
CONNECTION THAT SOME ACTIVITIES
HAVE WITH OPEN AIR SPACES.
FURTHERMORE FROM MOST OF THE LOB-
BY THERE IS VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE
CEILING RIBBON WINDOWS
OUTDOORS. PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE IS
GIVEN TO THE STREET-PARK VISUAL PER-
RIBBON WINDOWS ARE NOT ONLY GENERATED WHERE THERE IS MEABILITY.
A CEILING HEIGHT DIFFERENCE, BUT ALSO WHERE THE TOWER
PERVADES THE LOBBY. SUCH EXCEPTION IS AIMED AT INTENSI- ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS/STEPS
FYING THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO ENTITIES, ALTOGE-
THER WITH THEIR ALSO CONTRASTING LANGUAGES. STREET-PARK VISUAL PERMEABILITY
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Hotel Concept. Reference person: Kristina Voigt
Consistent with the rest of the project, the Hotel expresses, within itself, a contrast. The layout
is composed of two main elements: a flat, broad lobby and a 15-storey tower containing gue-
strooms. Such diversity finds its reason in the utilization difference of the elements, but also in
the intention to assign more surface to green areas outside, rather than spreading out the many
square meters required for the hotel.
HOTEL RECEPTION
Outer perception
ADMINISTRATION
Two opposing perceptions result from the different configuration of these elements. The lobby,
SEMINARS
with its various connected activities, blends with the “Green Stream” landscape that characteri-
zes the park; it is literally integrated with it. In the same pattern as in the rest of the park, strips
RESTAURANT & BAR
of grass lift off the ground, crossing each other, interrupting in mid-air or eventually landing
SHOP back to the ground, submerging again in the scenery. When the strips are lifted off the ground,
or when there is a level difference between adjacent strips, glass panelling enclose the sides to
WELLNESS seal the inner space, letting light pour into the lobby. The tower, on the contrary, is a purely ar-
tificial object; it is literally inserted into the lobby base, but is marked by the pebble-like shape
common to some of the other new sports activities close-by. The tower unmistakably qualifies
ACCESS POINTS as a landmark, not just for orientation within the park, but also as part of the neighbourhood’s
skyline.
Inner perception
The lobby is accessible to the public from two opposed fronts: the street and the park. It is con-
ceived as one vast space, developing on three slightly different levels to meet the topography,
all connected with gentle ramps. In spite of the spaciousness and depth of the space, the am-
bience is bright; light pouring in from all sides and from cuts in the ceiling. In particular, these
ribbon windows serve as guidelines to mark entrances to four of the activities accessible from
the lobby: the wellness centre, the administration area, the restaurant and bar, and the seminar
area. All these activities facing the lobby are contained in its same volume, even if parted by
walls and glass panelling. There is an unobstructed visual connection between the inside spa-
ces and the green outside, especially on the street-park axis. The heart of the lobby is where
the powerful structure of the tower reaches it, its rounded floor plan silhouette clearly standing
out against the sharp shapes of the lobby environment. It is important to keep the tower as a
reference point in transiting from outer to inner space. The light well running up the 15 storeys
of the tower brings even more light to the core of the lobby, bouncing on a shallow water basin,
populated with plants. This is where the hotel’s Reception Desk is, facing the elevators connec-
ting to the tower and the ones coming up from the underground parking level.
Underground
PARK LEVEL - 68,20 MSL A vast portion of the area where the hotel is located is presently 3 to 4 meter lower than its sur-
roundings. This level difference is put to advantage by placing here the parking garage, kitchens,
pantries, storage areas, employees changing rooms and canteen, technical spaces and some of
the functions of the wellness centre. Access to all service and maintenance facilities of the hotel
is from this level, as well as unloading areas for supplies. The concept allows the grass strips to
sink deeper into the ground when needed, providing natural light to underground spaces, such
as the employees cafeteria or fitness rooms.
Pertinential outdoor areas
The configuration of the grass strips spontaneously creates enclosed, or partially enclosed, out-
door areas directly accessible from the lobby. To the southwest of the lobby a spacious three-le-
velled deck serves as an outdoor extension of the pool and restaurant areas; it is also accessible
directly from the lobby. The seminar area has, facing northeast, access to its own outside deck,
PRIMARY ROUTES also directly connected to the seminar kitchen in case of banquets and vernissages.
SECONDARY ROUTES
RAMPS
Ms. Voigt goes to the “Horse Access-For-All Day” at the equestrian centre.
It is mid-morning when Ms. Voigt wakes up. The first thing she sees as she sits up in bed is the
Grünewald, stretching out right in front of her. She can see boats gliding on the waters of the
Teufelsee, shimmering in the sun. What a nice view to start the day! She wheels her way into the
shower and gets ready for her meeting. Her room is on the 8th floor, so she has to take one of
the two elevators to go down to the lobby.
As the elevator doors open on the lobby, she is facing the already busy reception desk, sunlight
pouring down on it from the tower’s curtain walls. The Reception is located on the middle level
of the lobby, as well as the seminar rooms; all Ms. Voigt has to do is turn the corner to face the
seminar foyer. The lady at the desk guides her through a wide corridor into one of the meeting
rooms, where some of her colleagues have already gathered. The room provides enough space
for her to wheel around easily, the desk is high enough for her to use it comfortably.
As the meeting comes to an end Ms. Voigt’s stomach is lurching; after all she hasn’t had any
breakfast. A friend joins her for a bite at the hotel’s bistro-bar. As they exit the seminar foyer they
can see the bar right at the end of a wide, gentle ramp, flanked by the thick pillars of the tower.
Again, the entrance and the corridors in the restaurant area are wide, the tables are adequately
distanced to facilitate circulation, and lounge areas have slots for wheelchairs to approach sofas
and tables. The waiter shows them to a table on the outdoor deck, just as they asked. From here
they can see the lower level of the deck, reached by stairs and a ramp; the swimming pool’s
glass side is open, children are playing, a couple of people are swimming laps, some old couple
is walking in the flower garden below the deck.
After lunch, Ms. Voigt has to meet with other friends at the Equestrian centre nearby, attend a
dressage demonstration and take a horse ride. She likes horses, but somehow they don’t seem
to instil as much confidence as her wheelchair…anyway, it’ll be fun! She exits the restaurant di-
rectly on the park, then heads northwest towards her destination. As she reaches the stand, she
finds herself higher than the range, and after the show, she mounts her horse from the same
raised level of the stand.
When she gets back to the hotel, later in the afternoon, Ms. Voigt can’t wait to freshen up in the
pool, followed by a sauna. After getting her things from her room, she returns to the lobby and
descends to its lower level, via ramp, to access the wellness area. The changing rooms face on
the foyer and there is a preferential passageway to the pool. The lifeguard helps her in, operating
the crane. To reach the sauna on the other hand, she has to go back to the wellness foyer and
descend to the underground level with an elevator; here there are also fitness rooms and therapy
rooms for athletes. As she closes her eyes in the dark and quiet sauna, Ms. Voigt muses that, for
once, the day has passed without any annoying obstacles…
HOTEL ARTURO ISACCO PANICHI # 055 1 2 3 4
GENERAL LAYOUT UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE 5 6 7 8

KITCHENS UNDERGROUND AREA

1:270 SCALE
A

LENGTHWISE SECTION AA
1:500 SCALE

EMPLOYEES AND MAINTENANCE UNDERGROUND AREA

1:270 SCALE

TRANSVERSE SECTION BB
1:500 SCALE

WELLNESS UNDERGROUND AREA

1:270 SCALE

LOBBY FLOOR PLAN

B 1:200 SCALE

N
A 4TH FLOOR PLAN - GUESTROOMS
1:200 SCALE