‘CROSS-YARD`

Public space as the idea of a place that belongs to everybody in equal parts seems to be more than ever an utopia of the contemporary city. The street as one of the biggest public domains got conquered by the car in the past century, the pedestrians and cyclists are taking formation for the forthcoming one. Alison and Peter Smithson state that we have to protect us from the noise of the streets, that we have a need for the aesthetics of seclusion. But while escaping the city we actively participate in further pollution. So the car should not be or remain a dominant factor on the streets of our cities. Pedestrians, shops and restaurants generate the lively atmosphere that makes a city vibrant and full of live. The problem of modern society is that the things people are attracted by and using in everyday live situations, such as shops or spare time facilities are moving away from the city centers. As a result cities fail to inspire as you wander through them, if you can wander through them.

“Cross-yard” is an attempt to democratize the street and free the junction. The proposal consists of several small scale improvements that form together a strong concept for the intersection of two streets. A roundabout is introduced which eliminates the need for traffic lights, saves energy and contributes to a more fluent flow of vehicles. Approaching this round-point as a car driver one has to slow down passing a slight inclination and riding over an extended crosswalk. Pedestrians get the ability to rest on the widened traffic-islands while cyclists use the outer ring of the roundabout which is like their extensions highlighted with a strong color on the ground that produces a signal effect.

The proposal for the future of the street introduces the corridor and courtyard of the house in analogy to the place and the road of the city. Regarding the Junction as a place to stay rather one to move through. Parking rows along the street are displaced by extended walkways around the junction which transform into an ensemble of mini-places on the 4 corners. The center of the roundabout features a green island within a sea of asphalt. This oasis develops it`s full value while distinct closing times of the current situation. A large scale curtain hidden in the 4 columns on the corners can transform the central point into an urban living room. This could happen at times when traffic usually gets almost to zero and it is no major issue to bypass via circumjacent ways. Once a week, twice a month, at certain days? The former knot of traffic, pollution and noise could temporary house a variety of social activities – from an outdoor restroom to a market-place or urban cinema. When the curtain opens again the spectacle is already finished and we are wishfully looking forward to the next closing...