1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
o Create a green space within the city;
o Increase the biodiversity of the area;
o Create a place for relaxing and leisure;
o Aesthetics;
o The project was a part of the Zurich-Nord project to create a modern Zurich city. (Ref 1,3).
o Increase the biodiversity of the area;
o Create a place for relaxing and leisure;
o Aesthetics;
o The project was a part of the Zurich-Nord project to create a modern Zurich city. (Ref 1,3).
Quantitative targets
o Install lounge chairs throughout;
o Install a sun deck on the roof;
o Install 104 varieties of perennial woody vines (Ref 1,2,3).
o Install a sun deck on the roof;
o Install 104 varieties of perennial woody vines (Ref 1,2,3).
Monitoring indicators defined
number of vines installed, amount of CO2 sequestration, number of people visiting the garden. (Ref 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Up until the 1990s, Oerlikon was characterized by industrial buildings. The grounds of the park were used by the machine factory Oerlikon (MFO) for around a hundred years. The “ Park House ” takes up the dimensions of the former factory building. The project, designed by the planning group Burckhardt + Partner and Raderschall Landschaftsarchitekten AG, was chosen in a two-stage, internationally advertised competition. The foundation stone was laid in autumn 2001 and the MFO park was inaugurated in summer 2002 (Ref 6). MFO-Park uses the structure of an old factory building as its skeleton, taking the form of a multilevel building that seamlessly fits into the surrounding structures. The park consists of a series of vertical walls. The vertical walls are semi-transparent, formed by a variety of species of vines which grow on and latch onto the steel cables, creating the frame. MFO-Park also incorporates an elaborate irrigation system. The water goes to a planting pit and then pumps into the plants on the upper level (Ref 1). The large “Park-Haus” is a double-walled steel-framed construction, 100 m (330 ft) in length, 35 m (115 ft) in width and 17 m (56 ft) high, reminiscent of a conservatory without glass. It is covered by a trellis (or treillage) and covered with climbing plants, resulting in a space that is filled by ever-changing light, shadow and smells. The large hall space is broken up by four plant-covered wire chalices. The water basin planted with irises is located in a sunken area. (Ref 3)
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The park consists of a series of vertical walls. The vertical walls are semi-transparent, formed by a variety of species of vines which grow on and latch onto the steel cables, creating the frame. (Ref 1) The park is a unique solution to the polarization of urbanization and nature. It transforms a park into an urban structure and an urban structure into a park (Ref 1).
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The project developed for the construction of the park was a completely novel idea developed by the designer. (Ref 1,3)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
MFO-Park reestablishes new possibilities for creating greenery in urban spaces, thereby providing a blueprint for other urban cities. (Ref 1)
