30-10-09 // URBAN TAPESTRY

The Eigerplatz in the city of Bern, as it exists today, can be described as a sequence of several triangulated square fragments that lack any kind of spatial coherence. But once you fill up the gaps between the different triangulated fragments with other small triangles, an urban tapestry can be created that has the power to unify all the bits and pieces to one perceivable whole with one significant spatial identity. This proposal for the redesign of the Eigerplatz is based exactly on that effect. The prevailing fragmentation of the old square became the underlying principle for the new square. The proposed new surface will cover the entire Eigerplatz like a rug that is knitted together using several different pieces of fabric of different sizes and material into a decorative tapestry.

All the pieces of the tapestry are connected without any differences in height leading to a complete barrier-free square. Neither curbs, nor any other obstacles will disturb the crossing pedestrians. Within the tapestry there are six larger pieces that form the spatial protagonists of the square and can be understood as squares in a square. The six squares are: 1. The Forest, 2. The Red Carpet, 3. The Bicycle Park, 4. The Flower Garden, 5. The Fountains, and 6. The Living Room. All the other smaller triangles can be seen as little versions of the six large pieces in terms of spatial organisation and materialisation. The materials range from wood, rubber, ceramic tiles, greeneries to plain asphalt. Nevertheless, all triangles remain flexible in terms of their use. Due to the adaptability of the triangulated forms, the Eigersquare could be extended infinitely and cover the entire city if necessary.

Title: Urban Tapestry
Project: Design for the Eigerplatz in Bern
Date: October 2010
Type: Open International Competition
Organizer: Public Transport Authority of the Canton of Berne
Location: Bern, Bern
Site: Eigerplatz
Programme: Traffic, Square
Surface: 13.000m2
Status: Competition
Team: Bernd Upmeyer, Alice Grégoire