An exciting starting point on a diverse site

From the very beginning, Rita Illien was inspired by the size and diversity of the development, as well as the balance between old and new, rural and urban. Thanks to her expert, extensively trained eye, she recognized entirely new potential on the existing site: the Lorze Canal was ideal for a unique local recreation zone nestled between the residential area and open land. The situation at Papieri Platz in the middle of the old industrial area was entirely different: this large square can be filled with urban life, but the underground parking lot below makes it difficult to plant trees. An overall concept was needed in order to interlink this patchwork of urban and rural elements, as well as the extremely diverse buildings, alleyways and squares, into a high-quality overall design. Rita Illien gladly accepted this challenge.

«From the very beginning, I was inspired by the size and diversity of the development, as well as the balance between old and new, rural and urban.»

Rita Illien

The area map established that the landscape to the north, which is defined by the Teuflibach creek, extends down into the site in a park-like expanse. It then morphs into an increasingly urban space until it reaches the large Papieri Platz at the southern end of the development. In order to create a design that allows the various outdoor areas to seamlessly merge, they were divided into sub-sections during the initial development phase. Planning applications were submitted at regular intervals, whereby every sub-project had to firstly stand alone and secondly complement the other proposed uses, while complying with the overall concept of the development plan. Deviations from this overall concept were only possible if they represented an improvement on the target project.

Overall concept inspired by history

Papieri Platz in the heart of the new neighborhood was a particular challenge in terms of design. Its location between the high-rise buildings and Kesselhaus was specified in the development plan, as were its urban dimensions. But Cham isn’t Zurich, so the design shouldn’t appear too urban. Rita Illien was inspired by history and adapted the typical patchwork of industrial areas to form the design template for Papieri Platz: she used various asphalt, gravel and cobblestone surfaces to create a fascinating pattern of smaller areas, thereby breaking with convention.

«In an industrial zone, the square would probably be completely covered in asphalt,» says Illien, «but a residential area requires a more nuanced, more human design. Large pots allow smaller trees to be planted, while numerous seating areas and a water feature provide a gathering place for adults and children, along with the large ‘paper plane’ playground.» This solution for the square also gave rise to the unifying overall concept: versions of this pattern featuring different surfaces, which breaks with industrial convention, became the theme for all the outdoor spaces within the development.

«In an industrial zone, the square would probably be completely covered in asphalt, but a residential area requires a more nuanced, more human design.»

Renaturation of the Lorze riverbank

But works first started on the Lorze riverbank. As part of the overall plan, Illien and her team began by holding a competition to build the Lorze bridge. This had to be constructed first, to allow the building site installations within the development to be serviced. The old wastewater treatment plant on the Lorze’s northern bank was demolished. In its place, a second branch of the river now meanders picturesquely through the site. The final saplings are being planted. “Three weeks ago, beavers were still tucking into the freshly planted saplings. Fortunately, they’ve now eaten their fill. After all, we can’t fence off all the plants and protect them from animals,” explains Illien.

The landscape architect observes the gardeners at work, reviews a shrub here, examines a bush there, checking their position. Although the embankment will freely evolve within this natural area in future, the correct initial planting is important for healthy growth and an attractive appearance. «This area will be left to nature, not many people will come here, which is great,» enthuses Rita Illien. «One day, there’ll be a fantastic view from the old paper machinery hall PM 5 on the opposite bank.»

«One day, there’ll be a fantastic view from the old paper machinery hall PM 5 on the opposite bank.»

Rita Illien

Some shrubs appear to have been broken during transport, others are protruding dryly from the ground, but will recover. This is normal for wild trees. The shrubs have all been supplied by a Swiss nursery. When selecting the plants, Rita Illien drew upon her extensive expertise. She ensured that the plant species are suitable for a river basin such as this and chose native wild plants, especially floodplain trees – willows, hazels and poplars – along with a few nut trees, oaks and wild cherries higher up the slope that will fill the open landscape with blossom in spring.

Stairs with recreational value

An inviting, over 30-meter-wide staircase leads from Maschinengasse up to Papieri Platz. In the development plan, this area is intended to overcome the gradient between river level and that of the square. But Rita Illien has turned these stairs into far more than a practical means of offsetting the gradient: here too, she’s created a gathering place. Towards Kalanderbau, the stairs have been transformed into a green embankment. Seating areas connect the staircase with the park, while the shiny tube of a giant children’s slide glistens between the freshly planted trees. The landscape architect has selected trees with contrasting colors: ornamental cherries with their pink blossom in spring and maples with bright yellow fall foliage not only provide color, but also summer shade.