DESIGNING A RIVERGARDEN — RENATURATION OF RIVER AIRE, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Abstract

The River Aire flows through valleys historically devoted to farming. From Late 19th century, itwas progressively canalized. In 2001, State of Geneva opened a competition with the idea of restoring the river to its original shape by destroying the canal. We instead proposed to combine the canal with a vast divagation space for the river and associate the new riverbed and a series of gardens in the former canal. The whole design becomes a Linear garden that organizes situations, views, and presences. The canal footprint is a key device for building the necessary calm and interiority. Rivergarden; Superpositions; Launching Pattern; Canal Footprint