OPLADEN RAIL QUARTER

Sep 27, 2017

1 min read

In 2006 a design competition was held to revitalize the abandoned a railway factory into a well connected, green, sustainable community. One of the key concepts included preserving the sites history while accommodating for it's future. Some of the opsticals of the site included its history. Much of the community had been left without work due to the industries relocation so they hesitated in supporting a new use for the site. As a solution, designers worked closely with community members to create what the site is today. In order to keep the people as up to date as possible, they assembled a team of publicist, engineers, landscape architects, etc, that would man a informational booth and arrange monthly meetings.

While learning about the site this was one of they key explanations for their success. Other factors included the variety of accessibility and living quarters within the site. More specifically the accommodation towards mentally disabled living independently. Another aspect of the site is their strong connections to sustainable design and regulations on each of their buildings.

What I took away from this project was the designers ability to create appreciation through education. I do not think the site would have been as successful had they not worked so closely with the public. I also believe that the people have taken more ownership over the site for this exact reason. I think this relationship is going to start mattering more and more in the future, it is no longer about the designer creating art, it is more about the designer creating life, and this project does a great job of that.