World Trade Center At The "Trade-Fair-Port" Leipzig Part 2 Project 2001 Anne Träger Hochschule Fur Technik Wirtschaft Und Kultur Leipzig | Germany LEIPZIG800+ years of trading and trade fair history (Messe)URBAN ANALYSIStransport connectionso superb infrastructure (motorway(A14), A-roads(B2), InterCityExpress, airportmorphologyo no grown structurescharacteristicso large "fields" and open, fallow areasbuilding typeso large sheds + specialstopographyo Leipzig plain, Messevalley, re-planted rubbish-mountainplanning o 1993 Master plan envisages victorian (gründerzeitlich) blocks - no demand- new master plan neededresultThe "Neue Messe" exhibition centre lies at the edge of the city. These edges do not conform to traditional urban analysis or the concept of the European City. The buildings do not relate to the city. The aim is to develop the western edge of the "Neue Messe" along the B2 by unifying areas in a N-S strip in terms of landscape, building and access.A strategic band with its own desires and rules forms another "field" with perfect access via existing roads.Subjective perception, analogies and associations suggest a port. Strategic band = quay, buildings = shipsDESIGNlandscape- limitation of building to the northern part of the band creates open park- N-S Axial Landscape with crêche can be experienced as a private park for the WTC- junction between Messevalley and Axial Landscape creates clear entrance to Messe- new hill defines the southern end of the band and gives long views building - separate, enclosed parameter forms unity in the context of the sheds- brief suggests compact building- scale appropriate to neighbours- classical block gives internal quality- one sloping square at the heart of WTC- introversion and resolution of block from outside to inside- ground floor = public functions- upper floors = office space- west wing = hotel- orientation of support facilities and open plan offices to the exterior, small offices to the square- large galleries with light/air spaces define/light circulation areasfacade- exterior: rigorous horizontal aluminium-cladding gives "ship-character"- square: local locust wood and balconies of different sizes give warm, lively expression. orange awnings play music. This complex functional program is developed on a rigorous analysis of the zone between the edge of the city and the motorway as the artery of future development. None of the jumble of existing built elements give obvious clues for future strategies.Anne's work developes this strategy step by step with an almost irresistible logic. Her desire to structure space by keeping and making space public results in a concentrated building form which is then easily able to take it up with its neighbours in terms of visibility and spatial significance.Her plans are the result of inumerous precise and iterative reworkings. At the end of them the relationships between the elements of the brief are made to work in a calm, practical and convincing manner. They are organised in a clear building form, expressing itself to the public outside as well as to the internal square in a clear and breath-taking beauty. Utilising only the subtlest means to create diversity and distinction in facades otherwise reduced to the minimum, she creates humane grandeur without kitsch and/or brutality. A feeling shared surprisingly enough especially by our clerical staff, who were positively moved by this work in a way I have not experienced before.NB: This work was developed from start to its presented form in 12 weeks.