Motalavej (Motala Street)
Location: Korsør, Denmark
Client: KAB
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Lisbeth Westergaard, Jan Støvring, Hanne Bruun Møller, Lars Nybye Sørensen
Collaborators: Arkitema
Design phase: 2003-2004
Construction: 2005-2007
Area: 14 ha
Cost of construction: 2,4 mill. €
Read more about participatory planning in the Town of Ullerød-project
When a residential neighbourhood requires regeneration, it is not just a question of renovating the existing. Often the residents feel the need for a stronger identity in the area, a feeling of belonging and pride in the place where one lives.
The Motalavej neighbourhood in Korsør has 3000 residents. Jointly with the residents, SLA have created a series of sporadic interventions, including a new square and community building, playgrounds, gardens, parking, recycling stations and lighting that inject new values, variation and experiences to the area - thereby bestowing a new identity to the area.
The existing qualities of the neighbourhood are optimised in the programme. The many trees are retained and accentuated by removing the under-story vegetation, creating a sense of security, clarity and free movement. The outdoor spaces appear as leafy groves supplemented with hawthorn, that in spring will transform the place with white flowers and seductive fragrance.
Throughout the year the colours and textures in the outdoor spaces change, and the residents therefore constantly experience new sensory impressions.
The residents have the opportunity to determine the placement of different “pieces” according to need – small interventions in the existing landscape that strengthen the overall architectural unity, and provide new functions. The “pieces” can be a sunken, organically shaped garden full of flowers or a square surface of wood, rubber or concrete that can be used for sojourn or as a barbeque area and is placed in the same position as the existing meeting place or where the rays of evening sun always fall.
