SMAQ

Dots&Loops is a multiscalar project for a neglected site at Burgos’s city edge, next to an elevated highway. It investigates an intense form–environment–use relationship to transform the conflicting site conditions into opportunities. A site-specific morphology is developed by conceptualizing possible and necessary movements of inhabitation. The outcome is a lifted courtyard housing typology that adapts to the context by screening off noise while leaving the site permeable. The apartments’ sectional organization facilitates a lifestyle that is closely interlinked with the outdoors. The overall dense urban structure is based on the transition from the inner city to the open landscape beyond the highway and guarantees public accessibility through a finger-like park structure.

In the urban development plan the parcelation works as a tool for the landscape design and for guaranteeing public permeability. Public areas and private parcels are separated by topographic contours. Those create a differentiated ornamental pattern which employs programmatically vegetation and surfaces of the local surroundings. Landscape fingers pull the agrarian landscape deep into the new urban area. Sport fields start on the city side and push into the ploughed fields. Landscape and city engage in an interweaving relationship and stay both accessible.

Competition team
Sabine Müller, Andreas Quednau

Master plan team
Sabine Müller, Andreas Quednau, Marta Male Alemany

Landscape design team
Sabine Müller, Andreas Quednau

Program
245 apartments, 1,500 m2 retail, 750 parking spaces, sports facilities

Site area
3.75 ha

Awards
Europan 6 Competition, 1st Prize and Hans-Schaefer-Award 2001 (Association of German Architects BDA)