Christiane Fickers
Weser gate Bremen. RWTH Aachen (Germany)
In towns situated at riversides, bridges have been, and always will be, lifelines of their cities. The head of a bridge often functions as an entrance to the city and was therefore usually crowned by a gate.
Today the design of bridge-heads usually corresponds to transportation requirements often leading to dissatisfying cuts in the urban scheme.
Hence the following concept which intends to correct the situation at the ‘Wilhelm-Kaisen’ Bridge in Bremen by reorganizing transportation structures in order to create a convincing passage.
Urban Concept
The design proposes an ensemble of buildings facing the riverside as reminiscences to the historical morphology of small deep lots next to the ‘Weser’. The rhythmical change between transparent and solid (brick) masses culminates in the glazed Casinotower. Intended as a landmark it emphasizes the entrance symbol. The movement of the urban design scheme ends in a historically founded emphasis on top of existing arcades.
The buildings facing the ‘Martinistrasse’ function as the backbone structure. To complement the entrance concept, the space between the two building-heads facing the bridge is narrowed to a minimum.
The promenade along the riverside is connected to the greenbelt of ancient fortification lines and enriched by amphibian structures such as floating restaurants and ships. Historical connections between river and town are reopened to emphasize the importance of the ‘Weser’ for Bremen.
Casino
The Casino consists of a glazed tower enveloping an introverted volume, built of concrete wall screens, including the roulette as well as a back part with secondary services.
The tower symbolizes the idea of ‘gambling oneself to the top’ , a permanent ‘dive’ into varying gambling atmospheres.
Staircases are wrapped around the enclosed wall screens allowing relaxing views of the surroundings as well as allowing passers-by to watch the gamblers move.
The varying lighting scheme of the Casino underlines the concept of a landmark.
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