Regional Design Fil Bleu Glatt by Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur
Switzerland / Built in 2024 /
studiovulkan.ch/en
Small Steps Toward a Long Park Along the River
Major landscape projects, especially those crossing municipal boundaries, no longer emerge from a single grand design. More often, they evolve over generations, gradually transitioning from planning frameworks into tangible realities. The open space concept for Fil Bleu takes a different approach. Through a clear and robust strategy of overarching design principles, combined with carefully crafted design elements, the park along the Glatt River becomes visible and tangible today—while still allowing for spatial development over time.
Long-Term Vision – A Collective Project in the Urban Landscape
From an Ice Age wetland to an industrial waterway and now an urban stream—the Glatt’s history is shaped by strikingly different images. In today’s context of growing urban development, the demand for recreational spaces and connectivity increases, often conflicting with the needs of nature and flood protection. Fil Bleu offers a shared vision for the river corridor, developed collectively by surrounding municipalities and the canton.
A Simple Rulebook – One River, Two Different Shores
The two banks of the Glatt are treated differently based on local conditions. The left bank is activated through the “Glattweg” path, creating direct river experiences with integrated rest areas. In contrast, the right bank is rewilded and only selectively accessible. This straightforward concept creates a balance between conflicting demands and allows for flexible, phased implementation.
A Design Toolkit for the Park – Making the River Landscape Visible and Experiential
Recurring design elements strengthen the identity of the river as a unified park space transcending municipal boundaries. Seating elements referencing the river’s flow and terraced steps provide spots to linger close to the water. Lighting highlights the unusually high number of bridges and ensures safety at night. Temporary furniture elements interrupt the long timeline of the project with moments of activation and presence.
Furniture Elements Celebrate the River and Invite Exploration
The furniture pieces of Fil Bleu express the river’s role as a space for leisure and recreation. Not only do they offer restful spots with views of the water, but each piece also serves as a station in a Vita Parcours (fitness trail). As sports elements, they encourage activity along the riverside route. At the same time, their seating and lounging features invite groups and friends to enjoy the riverside lounge together.
Fil Bleu’s open space concept combines a long-term overarching strategy with quick, high-quality interventions.
The river corridor becomes quickly visible and accessible as a recreational space. Within the framework of this design logic, the transformation of the Glatt’s river space continues. It is not merely part of expanding urban development—it also serves as a vital natural and urban open space element.
Project Typology:
Masterplan, Riverbanks, Park, temporary installation
• Other landscape architecture offices involved in the design of the landscape:
Studio Vulkan
• Other credits:
Furniture Design: Studio Vulkan with Winfried Schneider
Furniture Production: Burri
Ecology: Oeplan GmbH
Traffic Planning: Suter von Känel Wild AG
Signage Design: Integral Ruedi Baur Zürich
Photography: Daniela Valentini
• Name: Regional Design Fil Bleu Glatt
• Category: Built landscapes
• Project typology: Masterplan, Riverbanks, Park, temporary installation
• LA Offices: Studio Vulkan
• A Offices: /
• Other Credits:
• Furniture Design: Studio Vulkan with Winfried Schneider
• Furniture Production: Burri
• Ecology: Oeplan GmbH
• Traffic Planning: Suter von Känel Wild AG
• Signage Design: Integral Ruedi Baur Zürich
• Photography: Daniela Valentini
• Location: Glatttal, Zurich, Switzerland
• Year Complited: 2024
