Elisabethenanlage, Basel

Chronicle of the Trees

Details
Clients
Baudepartment des Kantons Basel-Stadt
Type
Park
Collaboration
Christ & Gantenbein Basel
Period
2001 - 2008
Status
Realised
Area
20 000 m²
Country
Switzerland

Today‘s Elisabethenanlage is the product of continuous development of the free space on the remains of the ancient town fortification of Basel. In centuries of structural and design alterations Elisabethenanlage has become a unique hybrid of park and square. This hybrid is characterized by an unusual large number of paths compared to the surfaces covered with lawn.

 

Other typical elements are small scale buildings like the pavillon and last but not least a small but valuable stock of old trees. The existing, soft terrain modelling is continued over the entire perimeter. Additional paths meander through this terrain, their course naturally resulting from the surface modelling. The concept for materials and textures as well as the choice of trees refer to the existing park. Banks and a waterbasin specifically designed for Elisabethenanlage complete the park. The new park is a free space opening outwards, defining the existing structures more precise and adapting it to the needs of our time.