ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. TRACING TRENČÍN in Slovakia by MANDAWORKS AB and HOSPER SWEDEN ABMay 20th, 2014 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: MARTIN ARFALK DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPETITION AND PRIZE
The city of Trenčín (57,000 inhabitants) is a compact historic city on the River Váh, forming the administrative centre of Trenčín Region and a natural landmark within the wider area. Strategically, the city is located on the border with the Czech Republic, within an hours’ drive from the capital city of BraQslava. The purpose of the compeQQon was to find ways of connection the city centre with the river and making use of the space that is currently being transformed due to the modernisation and relocation’s of the City’s primary railway track. This is a conceptual design that will become the basis for the master plan of the central urban area . DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL Our proposal resurrects the natural character of the River by bending the straight engineered levee walls to create a som, pliable and programmed edge, while retaining its protective function. This new levee landscape connects the south side of the river to the strong Qssue of the historic city of Trencin, by extending its long, narrow block structure to develop a network of shiming and unique plazas, squares, streets and riverfront promenades. The southern waterfront forms a sequence of active recreational public spaces, maximizing the use of the dynamics of the water landscape. Through the transformed railway bridge a strong and programmed connection is made from the dynamic south embankment to the more extensive landscape of the northern river bed. An ecological centre acts as a central info and meeting point within extensive wetlands and water buffering areas. Within this system a Super Dike is created, which combines water protecQon with new housing and parking and a vivid urban balcony towards the river and the historic city. EXCERPT FROM JURY’S REPORT “[The proposal] best reflects all aspects of the competition and the award criteria . It’s a thoughtful proposal in regards to the existing structure of the historic center, sensitively placing of new buildings, and a quality connection to both sides of the [River] Vah. (…).Tracing Trenčín creates quality links between the city and the river, while respecting the natural conditions of the river.” Descrip@on of the Winning Offices The proposal “TRACING TRENČÍN”, included the following participants: Martin Arfalk, Patrick Verhoeven, Andrei Deacu, Danny Bridson, Maria Gregorio Puig, Carlos Dias, Nicholas Bigelow, and Chuhan Zhang. Category: Urban Design |