Defluo

Reimagining a former hotel as a leisure garden through the use of water

Fig 1. Paintings visualisation

'Entangled' Master Thesis

A view is a two-way responsability

The project reimagines the Dolder Waldhaus as a leisure garden on Adlisberg, creating recreational spaces and fostering collaborative production through the use of water.

Until the 17th century, Adlisberg was a dense forest area, distinctly separated from Zurich’s urban fabric. With time, it underwent a gradual transformation from cultivated land to eventually become a popular destination for public leisure where people could enjoy various rec- reational activities such as taking in the scenic views, dining at restaurants, and engaging in social interactions. Central to this transition was the Dolder Waldhaus, which not only served as a primary leisure destination but also acted as the gateway to the park, thanks to its connection to the city by the Dolder cable car.

Fig 2-6. Schematic evolution of Zürich and Adlisberg

As leisure activities evolved, new attrac- tions such as an ice skating rink and a public swimming pool emerged on the hilltop and beyond. Alongside these developments, transportation infrastructure adapted to accommodate the growing number of visitors, with bus networks replacing old tramways and pathways being converted into paved roads.

The transformation of public spaces on Adlisberg reflects our evolving leisure preferences and their impact on the land- scape’s dynamic interactions, particularly evident in seasonal usage patterns. This evolution in usage behaviours is closely entangled with the changing role of the for- mer Dolder Waldhaus, which transitioned from a prominent feature of Adlisberg’s public spaces to a transitional building whose growing unclear identity ultimately deemed obsolete, leading to its demoli- tion and replaced with the current Dolder Waldhaus.

Fig 7. Photo of the former Waldhaus Dolder's destruction

However, while the initial plans of the new project seemed to aim at reevaluating its role within its specific context and integrating the hotel into the forest park, its final design overlooked this vision, thus perpetuating the identity crisis that the former building had faced just a few years prior...

As discussions progress on a new refurbishment project aimed at replacing the Dolder Waldhaus with luxury apartments, it prompts the question:

Should we persist in perpetuating this disconnect, or should we envision the building as an essential component of Adlisberg’s public space? Could redefining its role within the park’s infrastructure offer a chance for long-term urban sustainability, embracing seasonal changes and recognising the current context for meaningful transformation ?

Fig 8-9. Atlas drawings from the research phase

During several strolls on Adlisberg, a diverse series of rainwater management methods caught my attention, especially intriguing was its intertwining with leisure and public spaces. Rainwater, wherever leisure activities are provided, is being led underground through a meticulous water infrastructure system to ensure the continuity, and despite their coexistence, leisure and rain remain isolated. Adlisberg’s leisure offerings overlook the potential of rainwater, inspiring explora- tion of a leisure project harnessing this resource. The entangling of rain and leisure promises to enrich experiences even in rainy seasons, curating a new identity within the Dolder Park’s vision.

Fig 10. Hand drawing

In practice, the project suggests redirecting collected rainwater from the hilltop of Adlisberg, where many leisure activities are located, to the Waldhaus site. There, the water will be collected, stored using filtering ponds, and then redistributed to irrigate cultivable gardens in front of the building before continuing its journey into Allegra’s urban project. This water routing takes advantage of the natural constraints of the distinctive topography to facilitate a gravitational flow where various layers are interconnected. Diverse programs related to water gardens and cultivated gardens will emerge, offering a dynamic use of spaces closely tied to the seasons.