A blazing red, surprisingly soft floor covering made of granulated rubber boldly attracts the visitor’s attention, embodying the welcoming gesture of breaking up the introverted, heterogeneous character of the district. The perception of the Raiffeisen quarter as a once fissured conglomerate of leftover areas and traffic functionalities has undergone a lasting change, with the new flooring unifying every square and spared spot into a homogeneous whole whose inviting extension goes as far as the pedestrian zone. A particularly identity-building feature is its function as a haptically pleasant, cosy carpet, which allows the covering to create a convivial atmosphere. In this light, the idea of a publicly accessible ‘lounge’ forms the underlying leitmotif, with the aim of establishing harmony and consistency as well as duly assuring the quality of the quarter with a visitor-friendly place close to downtown. Furnishing elements such as seats, banks and tables emerge from the carpet covering as free forms. The uniform surface of the flooring resembles a cloth that unfolds over the entire furniture and that, despite its resilience, is smooth and charming to every single touch. With its soft, pleasing material haptics, the amorphous silhouettes of the furniture present a deliberate contrast to the hard precision of the built surroundings.
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