Extreme costs, hardly anything memorable, abandoned stadium ruins. Why traveling major events no longer make sense today and why it is worth going back to the beginning, especially for the Olympics.

Things are not yet running smoothly in Rio. There is talk of brawling fans, boiling favelas and body parts on the beach. Is it just me, or is a certain mega-event fatigue spreading? And not just in relation to Rio, but also to the principle of big events?

That could be explained. There aren’t necessarily more mega sporting events than there used to be. But the ones that do exist are lasting longer and longer (see the debate about the 32 teams at the European Football Championships) or are becoming more and more expensive. The games in Rio alone cost over four billion euros.

What’s more, the economist’s myth that “events pay off in the end” is difficult to verify. It is true that the Brazilian share index rose by 50 percent in the run-up to the Games and the real currency also gained a fifth against the euro. On the other hand, how long-term are such effects? Ultimately, scientists from the German Bundestag, for example, believe that little will remain. They do not expect any structural economic effects from the great sporting run. “As a rule, it can be stated that major sporting events (…) only have positive economic effects in the short term,” wrote the scientific service in a 2014 paper.

From an architectural point of view, there is also another perspective on the effects of the Olympic Games: urban development. Do the major new buildings erected every four years actually have a sustainable impact on cities? Or to put it another way: Does a city just happen to be found every 104 weeks that wants to subject its armada of sports facilities to a costly orgy of new construction? Only then would stadium construction for the Olympics or a World Cup really make sense. But the answer will probably be: no.

And as far as the collective memory of global society is concerned – here, too, the question is what really “sticks”. Which Olympic Games do we still have lasting memories of today? From a German perspective, perhaps 1972. The Munich Games were an atmospheric novelty – first as the cheerful Games, then overshadowed by terror. Beyond that, we might mention Sidney 2000. But otherwise?

This raises the question: If the traveling circus of the Games and World Cups leaves so little in the way of a lasting impression – does it make any sense at all? If two weeks of sporting events do not fundamentally change places and their perception? Wouldn’t it make more sense to anchor the Olympic Games firmly in one place?

The sports venues could then be worked on continuously; the entire infrastructure could be optimized around the recurring hustle and bustle. Unused stadium ruins could be avoided. And a new form of event-spatial identity could emerge that would give both the location and the event more atmospheric sustainability. Once the games are over, city tourists won’t be visiting an event cemetery, but a place that is inspired by the aura of the event that will soon return – similar to the art and architecture biennials in Venice, especially the Giardini.

Incidentally, this idea is already circulating, as far as I know first proposed by FDP politician Jorgo Chatzimarkakis. He thinks the games should be permanently based in Athens. Chatzimarkakis bases his argument on Greece’s dire economic situation. For him, this would primarily be a Hellenic economic stimulus program. But the whole thing would also have considerable cultural charm. Athens, the Mecca of top-class Olympic sport. Thinking further, this logic could also be applied to other mega-events. To world and European championships, perhaps even to world exhibitions.

The idea of sending an event format around the world is ultimately an outmoded one. It comes from the pre-Internet era. Today, we no longer need to present “the world” to people. Today we think globally anyway. As a globalized cosmos, the world is no longer constantly reinventing itself. Rather, centers with different competencies are emerging around the world, for example with the start-up scene in Silicon Valley or in Tel Aviv and Berlin. A wide variety of clusters are being formed. Why not an Olympic cluster in Athens?

In 2019, bbz landschaftsarchitekten took on the challenge of redesigning a significant piece of Biel’s industrial history: the conversion of a former watch factory into modern living space Despite their extensive experience, the team of planners faced unexpected challenges when trying to preserve the historical substance while developing a sustainable use. How they overcame this challenge and what has become of the former factory is presented by the office itself in the following project presentation.

In 2019, bbz landschaftsarchitekten took on the challenge of redesigning a significant piece of Biel’s industrial history: the conversion of a former watch factory into modern living space Despite their extensive experience, the team of planners faced unexpected challenges when trying to preserve the historical substance while developing a sustainable use. How they overcame this challenge and what has become of the former factory is presented by the office itself in the following project presentation.

The city of Biel established itself as an important center of industrial watch production in the early 19th century. The proximity to the craftsmen’s workshops in the Jura and the convenient transport links encouraged the growth of numerous watch factories in the city center. In order to meet the growing demand for space, a gradual relocation of industrial activities to the outskirts of the city began in the middle of the 20th century. The industrial sites in the city center, many of which were easily accessible, offered great potential for redevelopment.

The “La Centrale” project is the result of such a conversion, which begins with the history of the Swiss watch manufacturer “Omega”, which dates back to 1848. The company first set up shop on Bözingenstrasse, where a factory building was erected for the watch manufacture. After various expansions up to the four-winged building and its extension in 1928, “Omega” gave up this production site. The building then housed the watchmaking and microtechnology school. In 2020, the complex was extensively renovated and repurposed. The aim was to create central living space and revitalize the inner courtyard as part of the urban space.

The history of the place has been continued through a gentle renovation and valuable building fabric has been preserved. Where watchmaking history was written for 150 years, there is now space for extraordinary apartments. The mix of lofts, family apartments and studios caters to a variety of different needs and ensures an attractive mix of residents. The building fabric of the rooms has hardly been altered and the industrial character of the former watch factory has been visibly preserved. Staircases have been preserved and the exterior façade has been carefully restored. The large former factory windows create an unmistakable ambience.

The central courtyard of the four-wing complex, last used by the School for Microtechnical Professions, forms the heart of the residential complex. Accessible via a gate on Bözingerstrasse, it serves as an entrance and communal vestibule to the newly built apartments. As soon as you enter the inner courtyard, the noise and pedestrian traffic of the busy street behind the large entrance gate fades away. This newly designed open space offers an island of calm in the urban hustle and bustle and becomes a new meeting place for the residents.

During the redesign of the building and the further development of the open space, a sustainable approach was taken to the existing building. The existing paving was removed, cleaned and relaid, which not only conserves resources but also preserves the character of the courtyard. The open joints and chaussured surfaces allow rainwater to seep away on site. Shady trees and an open water area create a pleasant microclimate in the sheltered courtyard. The trees, shrubs and perennials thrive harmoniously between the historic façades and have developed into dense, lush planting over the years. The minimalist furniture made of spruce wood and simple metal chairs draws the eye to the architecture and the planting. Spots in the courtyard are bathed in a warm, diffuse light by pendant luminaires attached to long wire cables.

The inner courtyard is characterized by two chaussiered pavement inlays surrounded by shrubs. The specific planting and simple furnishings give each of the newly created spaces their own character. The larger of the two inlays, sheltered from the wind and weather, was designed as a “living room” in the Mediterranean style. This well-sunlit area with outdoor kitchen, dining table and lounge with fireplace is characterized by the scent of the jasmine flowers that entwine the pergola. Small trees such as the Judas tree and the olive willow provide additional shade, while herbs such as sage and lavender add to the Mediterranean fragrance. The “fern room”, located in the shade of the building, offers a place of contemplation in the inner courtyard with its water element, which provides a pleasant rippling sound, and its lush planting of ferns and funkia.

The conversion of the former watch factory is an example of how historically valuable industrial buildings can be transformed into modern living and working environments without denying their industrial past. This approach makes a significant contribution to overcoming the housing shortage in Switzerland and at the same time promotes sustainable, resource-conserving urban development.

Location: Bözingenstrasse 31, 2502 Biel/Bienne
Client: PAT-BVG Pension Fund for Doctors and Veterinarians, Kappelenstrasse 5, 3011 Bern
Total contractor: MLG Generalunternehmung AG, Zikadenweg 27 A, 3006 Bern
Planning: 2019
Construction time: 2020
Competition: 1st prize 2019
Size: 500m2
Construction sum: 2250’00 CHF

With offices in Germany and Switzerland, bbz landschaftsarchitekten have a wealth of experience in dealing with cities and landscapes. With curiosity and passion, we work on the entire spectrum of open space design, from small roof gardens to the recultivation of large-scale open-cast mining landscapes. Based on a careful analysis of the site, we develop tailor-made solutions for the respective uses. The contemporary and sustainable solutions are characterized by reduction to the essentials, clarity and elegance. The core of bbz landschaftsarchitekten’s work is a clear and precise spatial constellation. The quality of the spatial and design solutions can be experienced in a sensual and real way. Our designs offer new and unusual perceptions and spatial experiences. We are committed to the requirements of the public space; fashionable playfulness and excitement are far from our minds. We pay particular attention to plants as a dynamic element of growth and change. In interdisciplinary teams with architects, urban planners, artists and specialist planners, we support our clients in all phases of planning and implementation. bbz landschaftsarchitekten has made a name for itself in the design of prestigious squares and the redesign of city centers. In recent years, bbz landschaftsarchitekten has also increasingly developed private and communal open spaces in the area of new residential construction and public building environments.

Our September issue is all about urban oases. Find more exciting projects here.

By the way: The 6th bdla Designers’ Talks will take place in November 2024. Find out more here.