Helvetiaplatz – Zurich
Literally connecting people over traffic and public transport, connecting two squares with each other. The elevated lawns create shadow during summer. The weekly markets, Chilbi, all benefit from the physical and visual separation from traffic. This green zone creates a common place in front of ?once historically very important Volkshaus.
This new reality is thought of like a garden, lowering temperature immediately, giving people the opportunity to find a public place of rest and protection in summer and winter. There are water features, because flowing water lowers temperature in the near area, attracting birds, dragonflies and playing children.
I see two older ladies exchanging how they ran this square as children, 70 years ago, looking for their mums, who were doing weekly groceries at the market, when pedlars were leaving. I see friends still enjoying brunch while their children are driving their bikes.
