In the measures phase, it was more like an introduction to the site, it’s a slope with stairs situated in Pregny-Chambesy, an old commune in Geneva. What’s particular about this slope is that it’s surrounded by walls that block us from the outside view. We analysed all the pros and cons of the site and by just observing people and how they interact with the site, we realised that our stairs aren’t quite useful because they aren’t comfortable. In fact, these stairs are wider than normal stairs, so people tend to use the slope instead.
In the elements phase, we tried finding a solution to that problem, so we built “intermediate” steps, which are a form of platform that comes in between each step to make the climbing of the stairs a more relaxing experience. But after the use of our element on site, we realised that it isn’t a lot more comfortable. Even though there’s an intermediate step, people nevertheless tend to use the slope as a tool to go up or down.
In the planes phase, my focus was less on the ability of people to go up and down the slope, but more on the ability of people to see past the wall, to see a hidden and unknown place, since the two walls are a form of “border”, to a magical place.
I started my research first, by searching what’s behind the walls. Using GPS information, I saw that there’s the Permanent Mission of France in Geneva, on one side, and The Château de Pregny, sometimes referred to as the Rothschild Castle, on the other.
After the research, I realised that it would be interesting to use a tool to go up the wall and see the magnificent view of the castle.
For my planes project, I made a tool to go up the wall and reach the top. I also added a platform on the wall for the people to sit and enjoy the view. My whole structure has two anchoring parts: the stone strip next to the stairs and the stone wall, where my structure will lean against in repulsion of the forces applied to it. I made sure when designing this structure that it blends in its own environment, so I made a design that doesn’t block either the stairs path nor the slope path (for cyclists). What’s interesting about my structure is that it’s an allegory of the opening of the wall, it has a progressive leaning shape, so every step you make to go up you’re opening more and more of the wall, till you reach the end and see what’s behind that robust wall.