The harbour use defined the island "Mercatorinsel" and its actual spatial form for years. Being an artificial landscape its scale corresponds with the large scale of warehouses and the openness of the Rhine horizon. Functionality and the protection against floods lead to the characteristic flat plateau with its sloped brick made edges, riverside stairs and pilings.

The proposed design inserts an "adapter" between the plateau and water’s edge: The adapter differentiates this point by creating stairs and balconies to the water and low foldings to the plateau. A new promenade combines and connects the different new uses. The figuration and topography of the plateau is translated into a wide open meadow for sport and leisure uses. Additional and optional art installations could temporarily occupy the wide openness. The brick made waterline is also maintained and opened to leisure uses by a promenade with balconies and stairs along the Ruhr and single interventions to the calmer side of the Rhine. Differentiated surfaces of in-situ concrete (rust colours and textures) give specific characteristics to the single elements and at the same time create a coherent conciseness.

Client: City of Duisburg

In cooperation with Jörg Wessendorf, Architect

The harbour use defined the island "Mercatorinsel" and its actual spatial form for years. Being an artificial landscape its scale corresponds with the large scale of warehouses and the openness of the Rhine horizon. Functionality and the protection against floods lead to the characteristic flat plateau with its sloped brick made edges, riverside stairs and pilings.

The proposed design inserts an "adapter" between the plateau and water’s edge: The adapter differentiates this point by creating stairs and balconies to the water and low foldings to the plateau. A new promenade combines and connects the different new uses. The figuration and topography of the plateau is translated into a wide open meadow for sport and leisure uses. Additional and optional art installations could temporarily occupy the wide openness. The brick made waterline is also maintained and opened to leisure uses by a promenade with balconies and stairs along the Ruhr and single interventions to the calmer side of the Rhine. Differentiated surfaces of in-situ concrete (rust colours and textures) give specific characteristics to the single elements and at the same time create a coherent conciseness.

Client: City of Duisburg

In cooperation with Jörg Wessendorf, Architect

The harbour use defined the island "Mercatorinsel" and its actual spatial form for years. Being an artificial landscape its scale corresponds with the large scale of warehouses and the openness of the Rhine horizon. Functionality and the protection against floods lead to the characteristic flat plateau with its sloped brick made edges, riverside stairs and pilings.

The proposed design inserts an "adapter" between the plateau and water’s edge: The adapter differentiates this point by creating stairs and balconies to the water and low foldings to the plateau. A new promenade combines and connects the different new uses. The figuration and topography of the plateau is translated into a wide open meadow for sport and leisure uses. Additional and optional art installations could temporarily occupy the wide openness. The brick made waterline is also maintained and opened to leisure uses by a promenade with balconies and stairs along the Ruhr and single interventions to the calmer side of the Rhine. Differentiated surfaces of in-situ concrete (rust colours and textures) give specific characteristics to the single elements and at the same time create a coherent conciseness.

Client: City of Duisburg

In cooperation with Jörg Wessendorf, Architect

The harbour use defined the island "Mercatorinsel" and its actual spatial form for years. Being an artificial landscape its scale corresponds with the large scale of warehouses and the openness of the Rhine horizon. Functionality and the protection against floods lead to the characteristic flat plateau with its sloped brick made edges, riverside stairs and pilings.

The proposed design inserts an "adapter" between the plateau and water’s edge: The adapter differentiates this point by creating stairs and balconies to the water and low foldings to the plateau. A new promenade combines and connects the different new uses. The figuration and topography of the plateau is translated into a wide open meadow for sport and leisure uses. Additional and optional art installations could temporarily occupy the wide openness. The brick made waterline is also maintained and opened to leisure uses by a promenade with balconies and stairs along the Ruhr and single interventions to the calmer side of the Rhine. Differentiated surfaces of in-situ concrete (rust colours and textures) give specific characteristics to the single elements and at the same time create a coherent conciseness.

Client: City of Duisburg

In cooperation with Jörg Wessendorf, Architect

The harbour use defined the island "Mercatorinsel" and its actual spatial form for years. Being an artificial landscape its scale corresponds with the large scale of warehouses and the openness of the Rhine horizon. Functionality and the protection against floods lead to the characteristic flat plateau with its sloped brick made edges, riverside stairs and pilings.

The proposed design inserts an "adapter" between the plateau and water’s edge: The adapter differentiates this point by creating stairs and balconies to the water and low foldings to the plateau. A new promenade combines and connects the different new uses. The figuration and topography of the plateau is translated into a wide open meadow for sport and leisure uses. Additional and optional art installations could temporarily occupy the wide openness. The brick made waterline is also maintained and opened to leisure uses by a promenade with balconies and stairs along the Ruhr and single interventions to the calmer side of the Rhine. Differentiated surfaces of in-situ concrete (rust colours and textures) give specific characteristics to the single elements and at the same time create a coherent conciseness.

Client: City of Duisburg

In cooperation with Jörg Wessendorf, Architect