Lower Factory Pond

The two-stage power plant in the Jenny industrial area in Ziegelbrücke is being replaced by a new, single-stage power plant. Due to the considerable impact this would have on the canal landscape, the authorities demanded a wide range of ecological replacement measures for the new Lower Factory Pond. It was also necessary to fulfil the usage requirements of the loft residents and meet the flood protection requirements.

The Lower Factory Pond is located in the neighbouring orchard and villa park, planned by Evariste Mertens in the second half of the 19th century. On the north side, the pond is characterised by the facade of the former factory building (now loft flats) and its terrace. The pond must function as a technical hydraulic structure (3-5 emptying operations per year) and should be given a corresponding appearance in keeping with the tradition of artificially created canals and ponds for industrial use. Headlands structure the watercourse into 5 chambers, which are connected to each other and which release their water to the old channel within a short time in the event of emptying thanks to the corresponding terrain modelling. Retreat troughs in shallow water areas allow flora and fauna to survive during this time. The way in which the terrain is modelled creates embankments with different inclinations and exposures and thus a diverse habitat where a high level of biodiversity can be expected. A diverse, native plant assortment consisting of shrubs, wild perennials, floating-leaf plants and wildflower meadows forms the basis for this. The loft residents experience the water park via the slightly raised wooden walkway, which starts from the communal orchard and, following the new topography, ends as a platform suspended above the water. The woodland planting emphasises the topographical features and responds to the confined space with its principle of settlement, while at the same time directing the view. Year after year, the spatial structure becomes stronger as it grows. The entire installation was created exclusively with existing materials on site, which has an extremely positive effect on ecology and economy.