Nestled amidst the vibrant pulse of Zurich, Tableau Sauvage emerges as a testament to a temporary and collaborative urban intervention. Situated at the juncture of bustling train tracks and the dynamic city quarter of Kreis 5, this urban garden epitomizes the convergence of community-driven design and sustainable urban regeneration imperatives.
At its core, the project embodies a commitment to repurposing urban voids through a co-creative process. Embracing an ethos of circular economy, Tableau Sauvage exclusively employs recycled materials sourced locally, thereby weaving together economic, social, and material flows. Managed by the non-profit organization, The Wilderplatz Verein, the garden seized upon an opportunity to reclaim neglected urban terrain, transforming it into a vibrant hub of exchange and dialogue.
Strategically positioned along the SBB train tracks and the newly erected Negrellisteg pedestrian walkway, the garden breathes life into fallow land, reimagining it as a catalyst for community interaction. The Co-habitations landscape, an interdisciplinary endeavor weaving together art, architecture, landscape, and design, emerges as a platform for communal exploration and social experimentation. By means of participatory workshops, art interventions, and curated activities, the project catalyzes critical engagements among citizens, foregrounding themes of resilience and sustainable urbanism.
The garden’s centerpiece, “Tableau Sauvage” or “Wilder Tisch”, is a versatile long platform made locally from cob clay, serving multiple functions such as a landscape, habitat, platform, and flexible seating. It encourages active participation and engagement, fostering a collective sense of ownership and connection with the garden and its users. The spatial organization of the garden manifests as a carefully orchestrated tapestry, comprising diverse habitats and sequences, each with its distinct character accommodating different voices.
Enveloped within a unifying chromatic palette, discreet design interventions within the garden subtly punctuate its spatial narrative, culminating in the emergence of a novel communal space of coexistence. Upon entering the garden, visitors are greeted by a vertical garden. Majestic bamboo stalks gracefully rise from the ground, intertwined with resilient climbing plants like Lupus humulus. This organic elements, slender strips of vibrant green, create immersive grove-like ambiance. The planting maximizes the entry of natural light and sunlight, casting an inviting and illuminated aura as visitors enter the garden.
The access ramp has been enriched with wildflowers and grasses, while an unexpected addition of a slide adds an element of playfulness and whimsy to the site’s topography. All slopes and steps have been carefully leveled to allow for barrier-free access to the site. Adjacent to the wilder part of Wilder Platz, a living wall has been erected to separate and protect the neighboring wilderness while simultaneously serving as habitat for insects and other small amphibians thriving in the diverse biodiversity along the dry landscapes flanking the train tracks.
The area near the central table has been thoughtfully framed by repositioning stones, establishing a clear distinction between accessible spaces and the nature protection area that separates the garden interior from the street. Additionally, a reused wooden platform, resembling a balcony, emerges above the ground, offering a vantage point to admire the expansive open space that unfolds before us, with train tracks and public transportation infrastructure stretching into the distance.
As Tableau Sauvage continues to evolve as a vibrant locus of urban life, it serves not only as a testament to the power of collective action but also as an enduring reminder of the profound impact that thoughtful community-driven interventions can have in redefining the urban landscape. Beyond its physical manifestation as a green oasis amidst the cityscape, Tableau Sauvage embodies a philosophy of resilience and adaptability, reflecting the dynamic interplay between human ingenuity and the possibility for it to, with time, return to ist natural environment.
Architecture offices involved in the design: bau-teilen
Location: Zollstrasse 121, CH-8005 Zürich
Design year: 2022-2023
Year Completed: 2023
studio erde in cooperation with AIA and bau-teilen
Planning and Conducting Workshops 11/2022-09/2023
temporary open space development and artistic-curatorial program
winner of the Clima:Now fund, Zurich, 2022
