„InterCity. Old structures – new possibilities“
Climate justice. Green urban space. Sustainability. Openness. Diversity. A community for all. This is what Stuttgart's citizens want as a message. At the same time, Stuttgart's railroad station is a historic site and its transformation has triggered some controversy. This special place with its many themes should not be overwritten, but rather continued. Without completely demolishing the existing structures, new perspectives on the development of the area can be created here. This also fits in with Stuttgart's desire for more sustainability. After all, every demolition is a waste of resources and every new building is responsible for enormous CO2 emissions.

In InterCity, the basic structure of the tracks will be preserved, partially opened up, redivided and extended. This creates a link from old to new, from past to future. Each platform forms its own character zone, sometimes as an open space, sometimes as a basic structure for enclosed spaces, sometimes as a place for art and culture, sometimes as a place for sport or simply for a kiosk. A lot is possible here. The small-scale and diverse use of the basic structure and the reuse of used components keep costs low and create consumption-free places and a lively community. In addition, the site will become a link between the emerging city quarter and the former railway station site, continuing the history of this historic location.

The results of the participation process have shown that the city centre is particularly lacking in non-consumption areas and spaces for (sub)culture and that there is a great desire for green spaces. InterCity will fulfil these wishes! The flexible basic structure and the idea of maximising the diversity of use will enable exciting heterogeneity. Valuable synergies can be created, for example between a youth centre, a biologically valuable green space and temporarily rentable rooms. The new building block can thus be the breeding ground for the emergence of many projects and valuable links that contribute to Stuttgart's future viability. It is also possible to react flexibly to future requirements and change the utilisation.

The old structures of the track roofing contribute greatly to the identity of InterCity. These structures will be built upon. The new spaces result from dealing with the old structures (not everything will be statically possible) and thus enable a site-specific character that is individual and stands out from anonymous, interchangeable buildings in other railway station districts. This makes the InterCity an identity-creating location that boldly demonstrates far beyond Stuttgart what sustainable city centre development can look like.

„PLANTform 21“

Transit site becomes a place to linger

Opposite the light eyes of the new subway station, a space of opportunity is to be created that is open to the urban space, offers space for appropriation, creates identity for the new Rosenstein district and can shine internationally as a sustainable lighthouse project in the urban space.

In order to realize such a project, it is not necessary to build from scratch at this location, but simply to repurpose what already exists. The existing platforms and canopies should serve as a starting point. The former track bed is a valuable unsealed area that is ideal for planting trees without a roof (due to its former use by steam and diesel locomotives). A substrate fill on the former track beds creates a species-rich and low-maintenance area that promotes biodiversity in the city. Inspired by the garden architecture of Piet Oudolf, perennials and wild grasses could be planted there, supplemented by deeper-rooted trees and accessible grass areas.

Leveling the 8.45 m wide platforms and widening them in places, as well as strategic connections between the platforms, will enable optimal use and accessibility. The historic roofing, currently still covered with display panels, will be replaced after its removal. Similar to the parco della dora in Turin, the newly reclaimed space offers a variety of uses: Pop-up food stalls, consumer-free spaces, street art, festivals, skate and play areas create an attractive open space that offers protection from the sun and rain and creates a pleasant climate thanks to its natural surroundings and proximity to the city's fresh air corridor.

In concrete terms, a unique playground could be created on the site from a discarded locomotive, while a goods wagon could become a fine-dining restaurant. In addition, an open-air museum with open-air artist studios could be realised and open-air concerts could be organised.

In winter, the area could be used to complement the Christmas market on the other side of the main station, with a covered ice rink and a winter forest. There is also the potential to create comparatively simple climatically enclosed spaces by means of set volumes.

This project proposal represents an ephemeral antithesis to the rigid architecture of the LBBW bank buildings and at the same time forms a bridge between the eyes of light of the new railway station and the Rosenstein district. The proposal also seeks to close ranks with the critics of the S21 project by being quick to realise and absolutely sustainable, as well as preserving historical architecture and translating it into the future in terms of urban planning and socio-economics.