NO. 293
<br />PARK AVENUE ARMORY
<br />PART 2NO. 293
PARK AVENUE ARMORY
PART 2

003 REDESIGN OF THE MARKTPLATZ

003
Redesign of the Markplatz
Basel, Switzerland
Competition 1979, project 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987

A central theme in all the versions for the redesign of the Marktplatz, the central historical square in Basel with its dominant town hall, was the revelation of the buried Birsig River beneath the market square. The final design development foresaw a cochlea-like duct, conducting the river’s sound through a leaf-like grille in the paved surface dating back to the nineteenth century. The architectural means have been reduced to a minimum, an exercise that proved the viability of a concept’s realization while allowing for maximum engagement in the existing conditions.

There were suggestions for night lighting some of the square’s buildings (1982) and the closure of two streets (1979), though to date neither has been realized.
Herzog & de Meuron, 1995
> IMAGE
© 2012, by Herzog & de Meuron Basel. All Rights Reserved