Ålgård

[c:] Small riverFrom norse á - river

A calm and vivid city along the river

Design goals: • Form the city around the • properties of the water and the

strengths of the river.• Develope places for the life along

the river. • Secureareasagainstflooding• Develope the river as a natural

connection through the city, and bind the city to the river.

• Direct the city towards the river, whilst maintaining its natural prop-erties.

Carl-Frederic Salicath

The Figgjo river running through Ålgård is anonymous and hidden, not using its full potential. This project has been aimed at chan-ging Ålgård and the river into one, making use of the best properties of a dense, small city and of a na-tural backbone like the river.

Design parameters: • Design for high density and

mixed-use.• Practice universal design.• Design to meet the needs of

people, not cars.

All scales relative to print on ISO A3.

DESIGN CONCEPTBecause the chosen plan area is blank, with few points to relate to, the chosen design consept is based on a geometrical approach. However, life does not follow geometrical patterns, and when considering peoples random move-ments the pattern needs to be adopted. Also, the river makes its twists and turn without paying attention to circles and axis’. That is why the geometry is broken, bent and turned, to create places for life along the river.

Carl-Frederic Salicath

There are two points of focus, Stasjonen and Magneten.

There two axis’, between those two points and the one created by the present street.

In the intersection between those lines a basepoint is established, and axis’ radiate from that point

Following the radians, circles are created, and structure of thenewcityplanfillsintothatpattern.

Table of materials, scale 1:10

Grass

Concrete paving stone

Granite

Granite(Dark)

Plan overviewThe plan is based on a geometrical apporach inconflictwiththenaturalelementsandtheurbanlife.Fromthisconflict,adesignemergethat highlights the needs of people, while maintaining an overall structure.

Key design elements:• The canal, bringing the river into

the city and extending the riv-erfront while giving a manmade river that can be manipulated to create public urban spaces based on the connection to the water.

• The mulitbridges, three bridges providing seamless and intuitive access across the riverbanks, minimising the rivers barrier-effect.

• Car-free streets, providing • pedestrians full access to their

city. • Pocket-parks, providing a place

to get away from the urban life.

Carl-Frederic Salicath

Waterscape

Today, the river divides the town between east and west, yet binds it together from south to north. The de-sign aims to utilize the con-nection by developing the paths along the river and the waterfront, and lessen the impact of the barrier by building bridges across the river. The most notable design feature is the canal, bringing the river into the city center, connecting east and west while extending the riverfront and creating calm, public places.

The north bank of the canal is lined with a promenade, brought down to the water by steps in granite. The steps are both stairs and a place to sit down and enjoy the sun-shine. The rock will retain heat, even after dark, making this an attractive place. Carl-Frederic Salicath

Detail showing the small park and steps at the end of the canal. This is the most sunny spot along the canal

Carl-Frederic Salicath• Steps leading down to the water along the canal, providing access to

the water and places to sit and enjoy the occasional sunshine. • On the banks, rows of trees and even patches of grass provide a

green element, and invites people to stay, creating urban life. The canal bank will be an attractive place for restaurants and cafés as people use the area.

• The south bank is linear, as opposed to the north bank with its curved lines, and is lined with a promenade and a canal front set down to the water, connected to the street by stairs every 50 meters.

• Two bridges cross the 100 meters long canal, connected to the streets minimizing the boundry-effect on the city.

• Depth of the canal limited to 1,5 meter, making it shallow enough to provide safe bathing for kids, yet deep enough to swim in.

• Extended riverbank and elevated terrain combined with rough, gran-itewallssecuresthecityagainstfloodsuptothe100-yearlevel.

• The steps on the north side of the canal is universally designed using contrast-coloured paving and access ramp integrated into the steps.

• Hydrofoilic island leads water from the river into the canal, to prevent stillwaters.Thisartificialbaymightevenbegoodforfishing...

Section F: RiverfrontScale 1:200

Section CScale 1:200

C’

Carl-Frederic Salicath

• Multibridges suspended over the river from a cen-tral,artificialisland.

• The bridges are thought as suspensionbridges us-ing a central collumn and a seamless bridge deck.

• The three bridges provide Ålgård with a landmark inviting people to stop and enjoy the vivid city.

• The southernmost islands serves three purposes, as its shape leads water into the canal and its area allows for a small park in the middle of the river, creating yet another attractive place.

Section A: CanalScale 1:500

A’

Carl-Frederic Salicath

StreetscapeThe street is where life takes place, and streets cannot take the individual twists and turns of our lives. This design is based on the street as a canvas, rather than a painting, as it opens up to life rather than restrict it in a pattern. • A large, central square connecting the

canal, the streets and the transit-node together, making a potential for large, outdoor events.

• In the focal point of the city, a web converges under a statue of a spider, reminish of Ålgårds spinning industry.

• The streets are connected to the wa-ter by steps and stairs and bridges crossing it. The chosen street pattern means every street ends at the central square or at the waterfront.

• Trees line every street, giving shade on sunny days, shelter on wet ones, and a calming green element to the city.

Section B: Main street and canalScale 1:200

B’

Section D: Parkstreet: Ole Nielsens veiScale 1:200

Section E: SidestreetScale 1:200

Carl-Frederic Salicath

• Car-free streets, only open to deliver-ies in daytime and emergency vehicles. The streets are ased on the shared-space model.

• Floorscape dividing the room, making a place for different types of users and activities.

• The width of Ole Nielsens vei is used as a sunny green area, providing a park in relation to the city center.

• Universally designed, with negliable elevation-differences over the area and safestreetswithnotraffic.

Perspective sketch from the canal steps looking towards the main square.

Carl-Frederic Salicath

Perspective sketch from the east river-bank looking west down the canal.

Carl-Frederic Salicath