Peter

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Peter

Past-Present-FutureThe precedent for this project is The Heidi Trilogy-- a textual analysis and a pursuit to recognize the tools for interpreting Swiss territory. The ensuing project, accordingly titled Peter, is a theoretical answer in the form of an architectural venture – launching us into the future of Swiss territorial conception where we may fulfill the potential for sustainable and durable growth.The plane with no wingsElements imperative to the successful restructuring of a city or territory include massive infrastructural efforts: access roads, and vast land clearings. Conversely, Peter is a prototype for minimal efforts yielding maximum impact – on a local and regional scale.The genesis of this project stems from the Swissmetro hypothesis. Conceived in the seventies by Rodolphe Nieth, the theory has undergone extensive research and is now primed for the implementation of an underground train with a speed reaching 500km/h, encompassing a MAGLEV system and part-vacuum tube approximately 50-100 meters underground. The execution of this system would promote the leading junctions of Switzerland as transit nodes, generating a significant contrast between constructed and natural environments. In targeting the city's capacity for density rather than promoting urban sprawl, Peter proposes the first realization of Nieth's Swissmetro hypothesis through the establishment of a metro station in one of the six transit nodes. Strategically, in both economic and practical senses, we propose the location for the first case study to be located in Zurich.Zurich goes undergroundThe city of Zurich is in many ways imprisoned by its location – the lake and the neighboring agglomerations restrict its urban growth. Consequently, it has become essential to verticalize and develop a self-expansion system to densify the height and depth of the city's perimeters. Comparable master plans are in progress and the city is currently undergoing substantial densification. Thus far, the proliferation of the metropolitan horizon has reached 126 meters in height with the construction of the Prime Tower. But the necessity for vertical growth is not only to redefine the Swiss skyline – it is also to forge a new domain by penetrating underground. The ruthless conquering of ground is demonstrated through the stunning project of Jean-Pierre Dürig in the subterranean expansion of the Zurich Central Station. Zurich's Lost SitesThe location proposed for Peter originally served as a military exercise facility, and is now a provisional prison. The site is the ideal location to generate a composite that welds the public with the private -free and controlled space- in creating a scheme of extreme efficiency. A lost site serving little purpose, the proposed point of construction is at the mercy of the next generation's architects. A mere 300 meters from Zurich Central Station, the area covers 68,470 square meters. Facing the Sihl River, surrounded by residential and commercial fabric, the site begs to be redefined. Heaven Meets HellPeter investigates the potential for an architectural engagement of verticality-- a showdown between depth or ground, and the limits of the sky. The project manipulates several levels and intensities of Urbanity to form and extend the city. The project is divided into programmatic strips that operate engineered accidents that enhance the autonomous urban character, prey to a future history. Structurally, Peter may be read as several interdependent entities functioning coherently, forming an integral urban segment. It is a technical complex dealing collectively with accessibility, circulation, service and stability, manifesting in an architecture which forms a cohesive composite.Step-by-StepThe hypercomposite is built over a speculated time span of 50 years. Initial phases include construction of the three main public pillars, reaching 141 meters in height and 59 meters in depth. Above ground, the towers serve as multi-use public facilities, residences and private offices, and below the city, the structure serves as Swissmetro checkpoints. Two years later begins the construction of the highly debated soccer stadium, offering the city of Zurich a venue for sport and cultural events. The arena is open to the Kaserenenplatz – conceived as a prototype for Free Space, which plays a vital role in the success of the project. With approximately 25,900 square meters, it becomes the largest public space at the disposal of the Zurichois(e). An interim bleacher is conceived to close off the east facade of the stadium when the occasion arises, such as when international games are played. As the technological development of the Swissmetro is furthered, the underground Swissmetroplatz is constructed by excavating below the stadium, liberating it from ground. It will thus sit on the three public pillars with three entries, as well as punctual wireframe columns on the belly – a flying structure. The Swissmetroplatz serves as a sub-leveled open plaza with access to the Swissmetro platforms as well as service to retail shopping, restaurants and cafés. Embraced by three sides, it becomes the positive of the stadium's form. On the east, a grand urban cascade of stairs, ramps, escalators, offices and retail spaces rise onto Kasernenplatz. Technical elements such as the metro tubes become an integral part of the scenery of the Swissmertoplatz. The Swissmetro tracks must be at a depth of 50 meters below city ground. To avoid claustrophobia, the project proposes to evade closures in order to establish direct visual contacts to the city, thus allowing a good percentage of indirect natural illumination to fill the space with an ambient light.As a Hypercomposite, Peter forms a meeting place for the people of Zurich and Switzerland. An urban generator, a territorial node and a symbol of Swiss mobility, Peter becomes the prototype for the metropolitan future of Switzerland.

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Christopher Tan

Architect

Alexander Hertel

Architect

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Peter

Peter

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