Der Emscherplatz
For my last undergraduate studio, I had the ability to work for the firm of Emschergenossenschaft, along side my classmates Jessica Thorning and Tiffany Nguyen. We were asked to activate the new mouth for the River Emscher. The firm of Emschergenossenschaft has been working to clean the River Emscher due to its previous state of being an open sewage canal as a result of subsidence. By 2020 the firm states the river will be completely sewage free. Along with its sewage eradication, Emschergenossenschaft plans on beginning to restore this 83 km long river. They are starting with the mouth where it lets out into the River Rhine. The River Emscher currently lets out through a weir and drops 10 meters into the Rhine. They are moving the river mouth North to compensate for the 10 meter drop. This allows for a slower current and gives the opportunity for fish to swim upstream the River Emscher. Within this new mouth, the firm is implementing a dynamic wetland. Their actions to naturalize what was once a sewage canal is so monumental. They asked my studio to turn this site into a habitable space where the residents and visitors can engage with and amongst this natural system.
Context
Our site is located in the town of Dinslaken. Dinslaken is located in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. This video shows the current conditions of the River Emscher, its relation to the River Rhine and how it will transition. This video also outlines our study site and design areas given to us by the firm of Emschergenossenschaft.
Master Plan
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This plan shows the combined designs of myself, Jessica, and Tiffany. Jessica's design was rethinking the way people can access the site by creating an entry and transportation hub. Tiffany's is located where the Emscher flowed prior to the new wetland where she created an art maze featuring painted walls telling the history of this site and the region in which it is located. My design is located on the northern part of the site.
Site Plan
My design, titled Der Emscherplatz, was the inspiration for the name of this entire project. Taking
inspiration from American summer camps and merging it with European hostiles, my design caters to pedestrians through organized recreation. The site is intended to be used as an open recreational park as well as a summer camp where spaces can be reserved through the recreation center located on site. With the implementation of cabins, it is encouraged that local schools, companies, and overseas travelers to not only enjoy the camp grounds, but the entire site.
site sections
Site Perspective
