SKIP
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
The Spreekreuz Inselpark aims to recover Shorelines for social interaction in a sustainable and green environment. For this, 45 floating Platforms will use the river water as a basis for the growth of plants and trees in order create a habitat for insects, birds and animals. It will also give people a unique surrounding for communication and relaxation and reintroduce biodiversity to a dwindling ecosystem.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
The river Spree, where this project is located is highly polluted and its shoreline is built up of bulkhead walls that cut of the natural shorelines vegitation and take away possible protective habitats for fish and insects. The Spreekreuz, south of the Mierendorffinsel is where 5 different streams meet and from where the are connected to through the entire city. The concepts aim is, to build floating platforms here, that will be introduced near the shoreline of the spree in Berlin. These islands would be accessible by canoe or boat. They would be built out of wood and be tied down to stop them from floating away. They will be filled with soil as a culture medium to plant trees, vegetables and other vegetation on these islands. The water of the river would thereby give these plants the nutrients and moisture needed for growth as the nitrogen and carbon dioxide content encourage plant developement. At the same time the the plants will give oxygen to the water and provide a habitat and a breeding ground for insects and waterdwellers like fish and frogs as well as a place for humans to experience nature within a city.
Key objectives for sustainability
The key objectives of this project is to create a space where humans and Nature coexist, for the benefit Humans living in the city. The hydroponic principles used in this project are the basis for the introduction of a new ecosystem within the sphere of influence and running waters of the spree river. The introduction of plants and trees that use minerals and waste products from the water to create oxygen through photosynthesis will create an environment for animals birds, fish and insects to inhabit. The waste products of these animals will in turn be used by the plants for growth ind insects will aid plant reproduction through pollination.This way the shoreline will be reactivated by moving away from bulkhead walls and giving it back to nature. The shade given by these trees will give animals protection from the sun and their roots will give them shelter from potential predators making it a good place for them to spawn. It will also decrease the loss of water by evaporisation and decrease the growth of toxic blue-green algae. So in one step this project will aid plant growth, protect animals, improve the quality of water and create a place for humans to relax and interact.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
SKIP revitalises an otherwise bleak and boring part of the spree, where shorelines are built out of bulkhead walls and the water is otherwise not accessible. The reintroduction of nature into industrialised shorelines and the softening of waterfronts is what gives the project a unique beauty inside the context of a city surrounding without being overwhelming or pushy. It will look like a Forest that has grown from the river. Leaves will catch the light and the wind as the current of the Spree slowly pushes water past. The Design of the islands is minimalistic to emphasize the nature taking back its place in the city.
Key objectives for inclusion
Parks are for everyone. Everyone will be able to enjoy time on SKIP. The underlying theme is of coexistence with one another and with nature. Therefore anyone who treats the islands and ecosystem with respect is encouraged to partake.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
This idea combines inclusion, sustainability and aesthetics through comfort and by emphasising nature in a way that allows it to work on its own, with humans taking an observing role instead of occupying the central space in the project. By giving humans the possibility to interact peacefully with nature in an ecosystem in which they can not find material gain skip is able to tackle these objectives in one design.
