Freeway A2 Overlay, Lucerne

In the south of Lucerne, a test planning process proposes solutions to better connect and integrate the fragmented area of the Kriens neighbourhoods, the urban Südallee, and the Allmend across the A2 motorway. This bridging is achieved through a series of spatial sequences and “stepping stones”. A key element of the design is the covering of the motorway. In places where peripheral uses are compatible, the open section of the motorway is continued to strengthen the relationship between the urban environment and the national road.

The concept links the edge areas along the motorway with the districts and residential neighbourhoods of Kriens. Varied spatial sequences (squares, neighbourhood parks, and forecourts) emerge as stepping stones and threshold spaces to improve crossings and enhance the motorway surroundings as an attractive place. The four central building or stepping stones are:

• Building element Eichwil for special uses with regional impact, a construction site for large building volumes with ground-floor orientation toward both sides of the neighbourhood.

• Stepping stone Stadtkanzel, a sequence of open spaces with a comfortable pedestrian and bicycle connection from the residential area to the Allmend, as a development of the hinge area around the neighbourhood park. It provides space for sports and recreation for various user groups.

• Building block Rösslimatt, a perimeter block development for high-quality housing and commercial spaces oriented toward the street, with a greened courtyard as a meeting space for the neighbourhood.

• Stepping stone Arsenal Bridge, upgraded into a spatial sequence with ground-floor uses and open spaces serving as forecourts to the different building elements (HSLU, Nidfeld, Arsenal, industrial district).