Competition Spreebogen Berlin Two-phase international open competition for ideas and realization.

Number of participants: 152 offices
Placement: Shortlist (18th place)

Idea:
The Spreebogen is a place with high historical symbolic content. It should therefore not be additionally loaded with content. The emptiness allows the fullness.

Design approaches:
1. The Spreebogen Park should take up the historical context. Therefore, the Lenné'sche ground plan with the north-south axis to the Humboldthafen and the east-west axis to the Reichstag building is emphasized.
2. So that the Spreebogenpark does not become a residual area of development , the "green spark" must be able to jump over from the Tiergarten. This is only possible with a very strong tree backdrop.
3. The future of humanity depends on the future of its spirituality. Therefore, a place of rest and gathering should be created in the hectic urban (and political) activity.
4. Instead of fixed uses, space should be left for temporary uses of all kinds. Through the luxury of omission, the value of this place manifests itself.

Open Space Concept:
Four concise spatial units form the framework of the overall concept.
-The grove (= Spreebogen Park)
-The promenade (= upper and lower promenade)
-The square (= Forum)
-The meadow (= Republic Square)

a)The grove (= Spreebogen Park):
In addition to the already specified tree avenues - the north and south avenues - a grove of English oaks is planted in the area of the Spreebogen, whereby the central axis with a view of the Humboldthafen is kept free. This will spatially reproduce the formerly existing building structure (Alsenblock). The visual relationships to the Spree from the Forum are limited to three visual axes: the Moltke Bridge, the central axis and the Kronprinzen Bridge - the "windows to the Spree". The direct view of the Spree from all sides is deliberately obscured by trees, as it would be tiring in the long run.
Water-bound pavement forms the continuous surface under the grove, which, with grid spacing of the trees of 15 to 20 m, provides sufficient space for uses below in the light shade of the trees. The Swiss Embassy and the planned day-care centre are left out. The latter will be "sunk" into the terrain between the upper and lower promenade, with the exception of an above-ground window strip. The existing trees will be integrated into the planting.

b)The promenade:
Upper and lower promenade have different qualities:
The upper promenade (pavement water-bound) is part of the "community space" Spreebogenpark and remains limited to this. It is more of an invitation to linger (tranquillity), while the lower, paved promenade has an overriding relationship to the continuous ribbon of the Spree and is more for walking or jogging (movement). The existing tree population will be preserved as far as possible. In the area of the Kronprinzenbrücke the terracing of the bank area is necessary on the whole width (removal of the bank slope).

c)The place (=Forum):
The forum is designed as a free place with water-bound surface, slightly lowered by two continuous seat steps, which enclose demn place. Temporary art symposia and festivals give the empty square the necessary attractiveness. Lighting is largely provided by the surrounding buildings and the north and south avenues - further furniture is avoided.

d)The meadow (= place of the republic)
With the Reichstag wrapping it became clear that this area despite its symbolic content and despite-or because of-its historical ambiguity cold, as a "people's meadow" is ideally suited. The meadow area is lowered with a lawn embankment by approx. 1 m opposite the surrounding promenade, which is divided with hedge slices into a promenade zone facing the avenue and a resting zone (benches) facing the meadow. A stage for receptions and rallies in front of the Reichstag and a water disc with a fountain in front of the Bundesrat are set as axial endpoints of the Volkswiese.