4th prize
Selective competition, Basel, 2025
The project proposes an ensemble of three new buildings together with Messehalle 1E instead of a homogeneous development. They are arranged around a central green courtyard that forms the social and climatic heart of the site. This courtyard opens toward Feldbergstrasse and Maulbeerstrasse, allows cold air to flow through the area, and helps reduce the urban heat-island effect. Each building responds to its specific context: a noise-protective corner building at Riehenring, a compact point building with smaller apartments at Maulbeerstrasse, and an elongated structure along Isteinerstrasse that accommodates public, commercial, and collective uses.
The courtyard is conceived as an “urban wilderness” with wild grasses, perennials, and multi-stem trees. Reused elements from the former bus depot structure pathways and spaces for gathering. In addition to play and recreation areas, the landscape creates ecological habitats and functions as a water retention space that improves the microclimate through evaporative cooling.
A key feature is the hybrid Urban Groundfloor of the long building: a high, partially unheated ground level designed as a flexible meeting space combining mobility, sports, commerce, community, and education. Bicycle routes, workshops, laundry and multi-purpose spaces, and seasonally adaptable zones encourage social interaction. Three climatic layers — outdoor space, intermediate climate, and indoor climate — allow diverse uses while supporting simple construction methods.
Re-use plays a central role in the concept: materials from the dismantled Messehalle 3 are integrated into façades, pathways, structural elements, and design features, strengthening the identity of the site. The construction strategy emphasizes simple, demountable low-tech solutions with timber as the primary structure, natural ventilation strategies, and efficient layouts.
The housing concept promotes urban density alongside collective neighbourhood life. Shared spaces, permeable ground floors, and differentiated courtyard situations create a balance between social proximity and private retreat.
Landscape: META Landschaftsarchitektur
Structure: Ferrari Gartmann
Facade planning: Lüchinger Meyer Partner
Renders: OUT OF RAM
Team Weyell Zipse: Matthew Born, Marina Bruno, Juan Colomina, Eleonora Valle, Christian Weyell, Kai Zipse
