The aim of the semester was to choose an existing structure and renovate it to fit a leisure program for the community of friesenbrg. We chose to create a repair workshop outside of the green residential area and rather connect it to Binz, an industrial and office area between the inner city and the mountain. The contrasting neighborhoods are separated by a steep slope, a former clay quarry, on which trees are planted to form a green belt. This topographical configuration makes Binz imperceptible from up the hill.
Fragments of abandoned railways tracks remain in the streets of the area, creating surprising juxtapositions. We decided to embrace this industrial character by reusing the tracks.
Only two discrete stairways connect Binz and Friesenberg through the green belt. To facilitate the transport of heavy objects without driving outside of Friesenberg, we adapted stairs to lead to our recycling community. To manage the slope, a mechanical pulley is installed next to the stairway. Members are able to manually move the platform transport their furniture by simply pulling the cart along the way. The railways also serve as red thread, leading to the new center of Binz.
