a(LIVE)
AN EXPLORATION OF“NEIGHBORHOOD” TROUGH SOUND
INTRODUCTION
The city of Bern is planning a complete neighborhood located on the Vierer- and Mittelfeld between Länggasse and Tiefenau. Where at the moment just plain grass and fields can be found, 3’000 people shall find a new home within over 1’000 apartments.
50 % of the area shall be used for social housing, in order to provide affordable apartments to inhabitants of the city.
A huge part of the ground will remain green and serve as a park and communal garden.
The beginning of the construction work was planned for 2024. But until now the concrete starting date of the realization of the masterplan remains unknown.
Further information:
https://www.bern.ch/themen/planen-und-bauen/stadtentwicklung/stadtentwicklungsprojekte/viererfeld
INSPIRATION
The idea of the Vierer- and Mittelfeld Is interesting to us out of many aspects.
On one hand, it seems surreal to us that an entire neighborhood should be built and populated according to a plan, as opposed to the normal, organic process of settlement.
Can it work? Or will it become a ghost town?
On the other hand, we see and feel the problem of housing shortage on all sides and support the idea of affordable, sustainable, and green living. Due to the impacts of climate change and the increasing shift of the population to the city, urban planning is likely to become more of a necessity.
SOUND PROJECTIONS
The thought that on this still plain field, people will soon brush their teeth, cook dinner, take a walk, plant flowers, fall in love, shout at their neighbors or simply do their groceries inspires us.
We want to create a soundscape, that tries to capture an idea of what will be.
SOUND - LAYERS
The track will have two different layers:
LAYER 1AMBIANCE
This Layer consists of simple ambiance sounds, depicting the future environment.
LAYER 2VOICES & THOUGHTS
A neighborhood can only become alive trough it’s people. They are the ones making it thrive trough simply living everyday lifes, making memories and creating interaction. Therefore their needs and experience should be considered.
In order to explore the meaning of the concept of a “neighborhood” we ask friends and acting-/music-students of the HKB to write us a text based on personal questions. They are then recorded speaking it out loud.
Their voices and thoughts build up the second layer of sound.
SELECTED LOCATIONS
The focus of the sound-collage lies on four future locations of the masterplan.
LIVING/HABITATION
A gathering of friends (and a dog) inside an apartment. Cooking together, drinking wine, smoking cigarettes, simply sharing a brief glimpse of beauty.
COMMUNAL GARDEN
Cutting gras, digging soil, growing fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers together.
FOOTBALLFIELD
Children shouting, kicking the ball to let off steam.
ALLMEND
Families gathering, children playing, friends hanging out, picknicking within the peace of nature.
ALL VISUALISIATIONS WERE TAKEN FROM THE HOMEPAGE OF THE CITY OF BERN
PARK & WOHNEN:
https://www.bern.ch/themen/planen-und-bauen/stadtentwicklung/ stadtentwicklungsprojekte/viererfeld/daten-und-fakten/vorgehen
MASTERPLAN:
https://www.bern.ch/themen/planen-und-bauen/stadtentwicklung/ stadtentwicklungsprojekte/viererfeld/daten-und-fakten/masterplan
