Meng Wang Civic Center

Source: Meng WangLocation: Kleinbasel, Claraplatz, Basel, SwitzerlandYear: 2024School: Atelier Valentin Bearth. USI Accademia de Mendrisio:
Date: January 28, 2025 Category: Academic

This significant historical site located in the heart of Kleinbasel holds substantial potential as a public space; however, its current fragmented condition prevents this potential from being realized. Consequently, the project proposes a comprehensive reimagining of the site, envisioning a new urban space for Basel that could establish a renewed sense of centrality for both the neighborhood and the city.

The proposal is to have a Civic Center for Kleinbasel, which would encompass a library, a 50-meter swimming pool, and a sports hall, thereby enhancing opportunities for public engagement. The configuration of these programs addresses the specific needs of this area of Basel, while the division of the civic center into two buildings allows the project to articulate an interesting sequence of public spaces, creating a diverse urban tapestry capable of responding to different urban situations.

A structural framework has been meticulously developed to manage the interplay between the diverse public and private components of the program, along with the site’s prominent public position. This framework, calibrated in its primary and secondary components, effectively accommodates a wide range of proposed usage scenarios. The project’s predominant use of oxidized copper as a façade material resonates deeply with the atmosphere of this significant historical site. Ultimately, the project addresses the multiple complexities of the proposed functional program, fitting seamlessly into the existing urban fabric and precisely and sensitively controlling both urbanistic and architectural aspects.

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