Joyce Abou Moussa - Ibrahim El-Hadidi - Ibrahim I.I. Abdelazizi Al Naggar



Potsdam is a synthesis of different historical layers and identities, reflecting a complex history. A city in Germany, the capital of Brandenburg state and on of the most important world heritage cities in the world.

The main challenge was to create from the different layers of history a cinematic scenes that gives a convivial experience to the users (users or tourists). Dealing with the contrast between the modern and historical styles not only in the architectural level, but also in the urban level emphasising the main aspects that form the city (Districts, Paths, Landmarks, Nodes and Edges)  and creating different activities and usages through these elements along the cinematic scenes of the city.

Our objective is to define an overall master plan setting sustainable, functional, convivial nodes, where self-guiding designed paths would intersect, re-combining the scattered districts and hence re-activating public use of the spaces.  Clearing out different view axis, creating reference points leading from one space to the other, users softly cross urban settings having visual references as guidelines. Hence, the strategy aims to densify the urban fabric while preserving historical traces relevant to several eras: the pre 1945 fabric as well as the GDR structures are both historical evidences of different architectural, social, political and urban phases. The GDR buildings are to be preserved in such a way to constitute the urban skin of the new development: the idea of the urban archeology is hence reflected through the stratification of different urban products, products of history, space, and men. No matter the products of the history, the strategy aims to keep the traces to avoid mental boundaries and gaps. in order to respond to the criterion of sustainability that is not only achieved through greening and the usage of passive energy but also through saving the energy of complete destruction and total reconstruction.

Two typologies are set: the inner development where the blocks align to the streets while opening to their inner courtyards; and the waterfront development whom typology is inspired by the newly designed opera house. In consequent, our project constitutes of Corridors and living rooms. The buildings are no more the positive elements in the space composition, but rather an enclosure for a void 'the ground'. The waterfronts blocks open up to the Havel River in u-shapes, extending some of their sections towards the water. The ground floor will be dedicated to public usage: small scale retails and boutiques in the inner spaces and entertainment spaces, restaurants, coffee shops and bars on the waterfront; whereas the upper floor will be dedicated to residential functions. The waterfront is treated in the form of successive green platforms where people can sit, walk along, and where the restaurants eventually extend their entertainment areas. Three vital nodes are created along this waterfront, as a product of the intersection between linear axis and the waterfront itself, shaping hence viewing platforms across the Havel and the new development on the other bank.

Extending certain axis to the other zone, the planning aims to over cross natural and physical boundaries while urbanizing both waterfronts. Hence, the scale, the characteristics and the greenery of the Friendship Island will be emphasized and accentuated. This area is planned through the intersection of the extended axis and the extended grid. aiming to complete the urbanization progressively through a grid taking its essence from the existing structures. At the current phase, this grid will host productive landscape - Orange, apple and pear trees - coexisting with an aesthetic landscape. The combination of urban structures and a productive landscape insure a gradual transition between wide landscapes and the city itself on both banks.