Stuttgart's urban oasis: old train tracks in a new light
Stuttgart's Stadtoase uses the old railroad tracks to create a sustainable, flexible and versatile urban space with a central lake and green areas that combines history and modernity and offers a variety of uses.
Author: Laura Thomas, Germany
Introduction
The project presents an artificial lake surrounded by green spaces, located in the center of the courtyard of an open building. The courtyard is surrounded by a colonnade that creates a gallery around the building that is approximately 10 meters wide. The dimensions of the building are approx. 117 x 60 m and the inner courtyard measures approx. 95 x 37 m. The structure of the building consists of the profiles of the old railroad tracks. By using materials from the old station, the building functions as a museum that not only presents the direct link to the new station, but also uses the old rails as a reminder and modern view of the city's history. Another link to Stuttgart's history is that there was already a large, centrally located lake in the 19th century, which served as inspiration for this project.
Sustainability
The old rails will be used as the new supporting structure for the building and for the central sculpture located at the intersection of the paths. According to our calculations, more than 14 km of rail profiles will be demolished and can be used for this purpose. The roof is completely covered with solar panels, which will generate energy.
Utilization
The inner courtyard offers a sandy beach, playground, sunbathing lawn, benches and green spaces. The covered gallery is a flexible area that can be used for tourist information points, gastronomy, exhibitions, flea markets, concerts, learning areas for children, etc. Its use can vary depending on the needs of different target groups or the time of year. For example, the gallery can be used as an extension of the Christmas market during the Christmas season and the sculpture as a “sustainable Christmas tree”. In winter, the empty lake can also be used as an area for skateboarding and inline skating. The metal structure allows for temporary expansion (creation of additional floors) by installing and removing steel profiles. The MFO Park in Zurich served as inspiration here. The toilet and shower area is planned underground.
Accessibility
Due to the differences in height of the site, the project is positioned at the level of Manfred-Rommel-Platz. It is accessible via ramps and stairs to ensure barrier-free access. There is a direct underground connection between the new main station and the project, with an elevator and stairs leading upwards.
Façade
The exterior façade features a series of modular arches, which can also be seen on the Bonatzbau and the Arnulf-Klett-Passage. The interior façade features a V-shaped steel construction designed for climbing plants. The plants not only create the famous “green façade”, but also provide a pleasant atmosphere and improve the acoustics of the inner courtyard. The façade can also be used flexibly and enables the installation of intelligent advertising for the city.